Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Howe of Idlicote (Crossbench). It was answered on Thursday, 30 November 2006.

BBC: Chairman

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I think we all hope that in future the process will be placed under the chairmanship of the independent Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Is the Minister as astonished as the rest of us that Michael Grade, as commander of the British flagship of public service broadcasting, is apparently free immediately to transfer his loyalty—if loyalty is the appropriate word—to the BBC’s principal competitor and, indeed, that he feels free to do so, in the apparent absence of any non-compete clause? What do the Government propose to do to prevent a similar situation arising with any future BBC chairman?

Answer: My Lords, it is a free country. Michael Grade has made it absolutely clear that he left the BBC because he saw a career opportunity in ITV. I think there would be a fair amount of criticism from many parts of this House if that had been prevented.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 687 c848
Session: 2006-07
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Conditions of employment BBC Competition Recruitment Public appointments ITV Network Grade of Yarmouth, Lord
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk