HC Deb 13 January 1997 vol 288 cc1-2W
Dr. John Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what changes have been made to the appointment procedures for non-departmental public bodies within her Department since July 1995; and if she will make a statement. [10152]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

New procedures have been implemented based on the "Guidance on Appointments to Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies and NHS Bodies" issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in April 1996.

Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the appointments of(a) the chairman of the Independent Television Commission, (b) the chairman and deputy chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and (c) the chairman of the Broadcasting Complaints Commission were made on the advice of an independent appointment committee. [10276]

Mrs. Bottomley

The appointment of the chairman of the Independent Television Commission was made following an executive search exercise and consideration by an advisory panel with independent membership. The appointments of the chairman and deputy chairman of the Broadcasting Standards Commission pre-dated the introduction of the advisory panels that were set up as a result of Lord Nolan's report.

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission will cease to exist as a separate body on 31 March 1997. In order to ensure continuity, only candidates who were already members of the commission were considered for appointment as its chairman when the previous chairman resigned in September. The decision was made without recourse to an advisory panel.