Written question asked by Harold Best (Labour) on Friday, 31 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2003. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 November 2003 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a statement on the process for the forthcoming review of the BBC Charter.

Answer: Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the process for the forthcoming review of the BBC Charter. [136652] Tessa Jowell: The review will be wide-ranging, with full industry and public consultation, and I hope, be characterised by vigorous and open debate. It will begin before the end of the year when I issue a consultation document outlining the main issues for consideration. It will take into account Ofcom's review of public service broadcasting, Philip Graf's review of the on-line services, the forthcoming review of the BBC's digital TV and radio services, and numerous other strands of work. We will engage directly with the general public throughout the process on an unprecedented scale. I have appointed Lord Burns to give me independent advice throughout. I aim to publish a Green Paper around the end of 2004 drawing on this sequence of reviews, consultation and analysis, to be followed by a White Paper containing considered recommendations to set before Parliament and the public. The whole process will be completed well before the Charter expires in 2006.

Secondary information