The House

BBC job denial

CHRIS SMITH denied trying to persuade Greg Dyke to run for the job of director-general of the BBC. The Tories had suggested that Mr Smith, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, had been involved in "detailed discussions" with Mr Dyke, the head of Pearson Television, over his possible application.

Freemasonry

MANY PEOPLE were "deeply suspicious" about Freemasonry and there should be "more openness" about its membership, said the Home Office minister Lord Williams of Mostyn.

Team sports

THE SPORTS minister, Tony Banks, vowed to resign from the Government if it stopped promoting competitive team games.