Lords approve charter review select committee
The House of Lords has approved the creation of a special select committee to scrutinise the renewal of the BBC’s royal charter.
The committee will start operation after the publication of the Government’s Green Paper on charter review that is expected in early 2005.
Unlike the Commons where select committees scrutinise the work of departments, the Lords has the power to set up special select committees to take evidence on specific topics.
There are no details as of yet on the likely membership of the committee.
The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee is also currently carrying out an investigation into the funding of the BBC, the scope and remit of the BBC, and its governance and regulation.
The BBC’s charter runs out in 2006.
