To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the extent of the control still exercised by Her Majesty's Government on the management of the BBC; if he was consulted over the pay rises for chief executives of the Corporation; and if he will make a statement. [7794]

Under the terms of its Royal Charter, rates of remuneration and conditions of employment for BBC employees are a matter for the Corporation itself. The Government has no locus to intervene. It is for the BBC Governors to ensure that they are delivering good value for money and paying only what is necessary, in a competitive market, to attract and retain the staff needed to maintain high quality services.