Having deployed 135 staff around the world, the cost of covering the aftermath of the terrorism attacks on America is costing the BBC £1 million a week.

Managing these extra costs will be among the first tasks facing the BBC's new chairman, Gavyn Davies, who took charge yesterday.

The revelation came as culture minister Tessa Jowell raised the possibility that parts of the BBC could be brought under the supervision of OfCom, the new communications and media regulator.