§ Ms. MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the requirements laid down for members appointed by him to bodies such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority to register their private interests; and where the register of interests is kept.
§ Mr. MellorUnder paragraph 4 of schedule 1 to the Broadcasting Act 1981, I have to be satisfied, before appointing a person to be a member of the Independent Broadcasting Authority, that he has no financial or other interest likely to prejudice the discharge of his duties as a member. This applies in particular to interests in programme contractors, advertising agencies and manufacture or sale of wireless or other telegraphic equipment.
Assurances are sought from potential new members and repeated annually for existing members. Other broadcasting bodies are generally covered by comparable arrangements.