Examination of Witnesses (Questions 80-82)
RT HON
ANDY BURNHAM
MP AND MR
JONATHAN STEPHENS
17 JULY 2008
Q80 Chairman: So, perhaps you should
not appoint him either.
Andy Burnham: That is a certain
line of argument that you can begin to develop. My instinct is
to proceed with caution. The editorial independence of the BBC
is something that is hard won and important to it; it gives it
the trust that it enjoys in the country. Let us not take a step
that may compromise that in any way and lead us to a position
where we lose something that is quite precious. I do not have
a closed mind to it. If having gone through the Ofcom process
the Committee's strong view is that it should be allowed to develop
in this way then I would be prepared to hear again the arguments
and the experience of the Ofcom appointment process.
Q81 Chairman: You will be aware that
it is not just this Committee but the Liaison Committee that has
strongly argued for this?
Andy Burnham: I am aware of that
and it is something I cannot ignore. Clearly, it was an initiative
by the Prime Minister. I do not know whether Mr Stephens wants
to add to this. The BBC is of a different category in that it
makes programmes about what we do in Parliament and what government
does. It is different from the Rural Payments Agency, Environment
Agency or NICE and all of us have a vested interest in what we
want it to do in terms of political ambitions and the prospects
of our parties.
Mr Stephens: It is unlikely that
a new appointment will arise until 2011.
Q82 Chairman: I think you could have
said that about the past two chairmen of the BBC both of whom
left somewhat prematurely.
Mr Stephens: Unexpected things
may happen, but it is unlikely to arise before 2011 and it may
well not even arise for another four years after that, so there
is plenty of time for the debate to continue.
Chairman: Secretary of State, we would
like to continue but we have kept you a long time this morning.
We thank you and the Permanent Secretary.
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