Select company
The appearance of Rupert Murdoch before the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee confirmed that some of the best action in parliament is now before select committees, not in the chamber.
— Select committees were around in the 18th century, when they were convened for particular purposes. An early one, in 1763, examined ‘the state of private madhouses’. They fell into disuse in the 20th century, when their work was taken over by inquiries made up of non-MPs.
— The idea of permanent committees of MPs to examine the work of the government dates from 1966, when Richard Crossman, then leader of the House of Commons, set up two: one into agriculture and one into science and technology.
— The name ‘select committee’ was revived when the current system of committees based on the work of each government department was established in 1979.
Who’s calling?
According to IBM, the call centre industry in the Philippines has overtaken that in India. Which countries employ the greatest number of people in call centres?
US 5,200,000
UK 592,000
Philippines 350,000
Germany 339,000
India 330,000
France 309,000
Spending it at the spa
Former Met commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson accepted a five-week stay at Champneys Spa, worth £12,000. What can you get for your money at a spa?
£99 One-day use of facilities at Sanctuary, Covent Garden, plus tea with cupcake or macaroon and glass of pink Prosecco
£180 One-day ‘experience’ at Bath Thermae spa, including oriental massage, hot stones pedicure and bamboo facial, plus two-course meal and complimentary towel
£175 One night at Lighthouse, Essex, including 50-minute body massage
£440 Two-night break at Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire. Includes tension-release scalp therapy and perfect body polish
Press gangs
The Metropolitan Police employs 45 press officers. What are the other big public sector employers of communications staff?
Ministry of Defence 255
Department of Health 122
Department of Work and Pensions 113
Defra 106
Department of Transport 105
Downing Street 40
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