§ Lord Hanningfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What specific advice the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, the Lord Birt, gave in regard to the Green Paper Blueprint for a Strong, Independent BBC, published on 2 March; and[HL1573]
What official meetings have been held in the past two years between the Prime Minister's strategy adviser, the Lord Birt, and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; and on each occasion what were the nature of and reason for the meetings. [HL1574]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)Lord Birt provides private136WA internal advice to the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers on a range of issues. His advice is not made public as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussions.