The BBC‘s outgoing Director-General Lord Hall, and Chairman Sir David Clementi have been summoned to give evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Thursday 12 March.
The DCMS have also called the BBC’s Director of Policy, Clare Sumner to give evidence on the same day as members of parliament quiz the broadcaster on recent developments affecting it.
The committee are said to want to question the corporation’s top leaders on Lord Hall’s intention to step down early, plans to close 450 news journalist posts, a consultation on decriminalising non-payment of the TV licence fee, changes to the licence fee for over-75s and continued questions over equal pay.
Chair of the DCMS, Julian Knight MP said; “The BBC has made headlines for the wrong reasons in recent months – axing hundreds of news posts, asking over-75s to pay up, and digging into budgets to settle equal pay claims. Unprecedented changes in how we watch and listen mean the broadcaster faces a fight for its future.
“We’re concerned about the BBC’s preparations to deal with these challenges, particularly when its Director-General has decided to step down at such a critical time.
“The Committee will be scrutinising the corporation’s planning as a priority to ensure that the interests of licence fee payers are at its heart and will be holding its senior leadership to account.”
The appearance will be streamed live on the UK Parliaments’ “Parliament Live” website.