UK: 'radical' thinking from Lord Myners?

Yesterday's Financial Times newspaper contained an article titled "Myners urges 'radical' shake-up of boards". The article reported Lord Myners' comments last week before the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee and, in particular, his calls for the Walker and FRC reviews of corporate governance to consider "radical" ideas. Lord Myners' radical thinking included providing non-executive directors with greater support including staff to provide independent information. He also suggested the adoption of independent "secretariats" to serve non-executive directors.

Are these suggestions particularly radical? Do they go beyond what is already envisaged by the current Combined Code on Corporate Governance? Whilst the Code does not specifically state that non-executive directors should be supported by an independent secretariat, it does provide, in provision A.5.2:

The board should ensure that directors, especially non-executive directors, have access to independent professional advice at the company’s expense where they judge it necessary to discharge their responsibilities as directors. Committees should be provided with sufficient resources to undertake their duties".

Lord Myners' appearance before the Committee can be watched here.