HL Deb 24 September 2002 vol 638 c203WA
Baroness Howe of Idlicote

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they give to membership of religious organisations when considering appointments of (a) members or senior officers of the Radio Authority; (b) members or senior officers of the Independent Television Commission; and (c) Governors and senior officers of the BBC; and whether they have declined to make such an appointment to any of those bodies solely on the basis of the religious affiliations of the candidate. [HL5657]

Baroness Blackstone

All appointments of members of the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission, and Governors of the BBC are made in compliance with the guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This provides that all public appointments should be governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit: religious affiliation is not a criterion for appointment. The Government are not responsible for appointing executive staff to these bodies.