§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what practical steps he has taken to establish that the Broadcasting Complaints Commission is doing its work effectively, efficiently, and with economy, and that it continues to fulfil a useful purpose in accordance with the requirement stated in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments".
§ Mr. RaisonThe Broadcasting Complaints Commission—which is financed wholly by the broadcasting authorities—came into existence as recently as two years ago, under provisions in the Broadcasting Act 1980—now consolidated with the Broadcasting Act 1981. It was set up following the recommendation of the Annan committee, Cmnd. 7653, that there should be a single independent body to deal with complaints against broadcasting authorities of misrepresentation or unjust or unfair treatment in broadcast programmes, in place of the previously existing arrangement by which each broadcasting body maintained its own complaints body.
We are fully satisfied that the commission continues to fulfil the useful purpose for which Parliament set it up. The Department maintains regular contact with the commission on those matters for which, under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1981, my right hon. Friend is responsible: appointing members of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and determining, with Treasury approval, the terms of appointment of members, the numbers and terms of appointment of staff and the amount paid to the commission to meet their other expenses.
The commission published its first annual report in July.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in the Official Report in respect of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission the 426W number of staff currently employed, the cost of staff remuneration and the number of meetings held in the past 12 months by the appointed members.
§ Mr. RaisonThe Broadcasting Complaints Commission has three staff. Total staff remuneration for the year ended 31 March 1982 was £28,213. The commission has held 23 meetings during 1982.