24
Conclusion
Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing …
Not Addressed
During our hearing, Dr Shah highlighted his significant experience with the BBC, but also relied on the more than 20 years since he was employed by the Corporation as a reason not to answer some of the questions we put to him. He was willing to be drawn on some …
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During our hearing, Dr Shah highlighted his significant experience with the BBC, but also relied on the more than 20 years since he was employed by the Corporation as a reason not to answer some of the questions we put to him. He was willing to be drawn on some issues, such as the BBC’s social media guidelines and his opinions of Gary Lineker’s adherence to them; however, on many other issues such as changes to local radio and cuts to Newsnight, he declined to express an opinion but undertook to write to the Committee with answers to some of the questions posed. We look forward to hearing from him shortly.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's report but does not address the specific observation regarding Dr Shah's reluctance to answer certain questions or his undertaking to provide written responses.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport
28
Recommendation
Third Report - Pre-appointment hearing …
Not Addressed
We are disappointed by the Department’s engagement with the Committee prior to the pre-appointment hearing, and especially its failure to adhere to the Government’s own guidelines requiring that committees are provided with the necessary information at least seven working days to prepare for a hearing.29 The decision to provide the …
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We are disappointed by the Department’s engagement with the Committee prior to the pre-appointment hearing, and especially its failure to adhere to the Government’s own guidelines requiring that committees are provided with the necessary information at least seven working days to prepare for a hearing.29 The decision to provide the Committee with only four and a half working days to prepare, without explanation or apology, was compounded by the leaking of the Government’s preferred candidate and a subsequent announcement of changes to the licence fee and a review into the funding of the BBC less than a day later. We regret the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s approach to Parliamentary scrutiny and encourage Ministers and officials to engage more constructively with the Committee’s work from this point forward. 29 Cabinet Office (January 2019), Cabinet Office Guidance: pre-appointment scrutiny by House of Commons select committees para 20 10 Pre-appointment hearing for Chair of the BBC Board
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Government response AI summary
The government responds by explaining that an extension was required to complete necessary steps before providing documentation for the pre-appointment hearing, but does not explicitly address the committee's encouragement for more constructive future engagement.
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Department for Culture, Media and Sport