§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the use of vetting of potential employees of the British Broadcasting Corporation in (i) non-sensitive posts and (ii) sensitive posts;
(2) if he will make a statement on the use of vetting of current employees of the British Broadcasting Corporation in (i) non-sensitive posts and (ii) sensitive posts.
§ Mr. RentonThe Government believe (as have successive Governments over a long period) that it is in the national interest for the BBC to apply certain necessary security procedures. A review of these procedures was undertaken by the director-general of the BBC in 198:5. This led to a clarification of the criteria for their application and ensured that the number of posts affected by them is kept to the necessary minimum. The BBC alone decides whom to appoint to any post within the corporation, and no external agency has a right of veto on the appointment or promotion of any member of staff.