§ 12. Mr. MilliganTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he will consider merging the Broadcasting Complaints Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Council.
§ Mr. BrookeI have no immediate plans to legislate for any changes in the status of either body but I will, of course, keep the matter under review.
§ 22. Mr. MandelsonTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the current arrangements for the management of the BBC.
§ Mr. BrookeThis is a matter for the BBC, within the terms of the present royal charter and the licence and agreement.
§ Mr. MilliganTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he will make it his policy to use the opportunity of the review of the BBC charter to streamline the regulation of the broadcasting industry.
§ Mr. BrookeI intend to publish a discussion paper in the next few weeks. This will set the framework for the public debate about the future of the BBC, including regulatory options. We shall want to hear the opinions of viewers and listeners, as well as those of the broadcasters and other interested parties, before we take decisions.