Visits
Overseas visits made by the Committee in 2003 were
mostly in connection with its inquiry into the BBC and charter
review. Members visited Dublin, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and
San Francisco in June 2004 for discussions with relevant parties
concerning technological developments and the likely broadcast
environment over the next ten years. The Committee also visited
Athens in advance of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in connection
with its monitoring inquiry into progress of the London bid for
the 2012 games (and a small group returned in November 2004 to
discuss the aftermath of the Games and legacy issues).
UK visits were made mostly in connection with our
inquiry into BBC Charter review and included: a visit to the BBC's
research and development facility at Kingswood Warren; a formal
evidence session in Glasgow; and consultation of young people
at West Thames Community College and Heston Community School in
West London. Other visits were made to recipients of significant
Lottery grants in relation to the Committee's work on the National
Lottery.
Resources
The Committee's staff complement was five full-time
members of staff and two staff members shared with other teams.
The Committee appointed two part-time specialist advisers in connection
with its inquiry into the reform of the National Lottery. In addition
the Committee benefited greatly from briefing commissioned from
the central Scrutiny Unit: on the BBC Annual Report and Accounts
2003-04; the DCMS's Annual Report and Accounts for 2003-04; and
supplementary estimates; and from the Parliamentary Office of
Science and Technology (POST): on technological developments in
broadcasting (in connection with our Report on BBC Charter review);
and on substances and methods banned in sport (in connection with
our Report on drugs in sport).
