§ 25. Dame Irene Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the practice of the Arts Council in appointing the chairmen of the advisory panels; and what is the length of service of the present chairmen.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe Arts Council's practice is to appoint as chairmen of the advisory panels members of the Council with particular knowledge of the subject concerned. Appointments are for one year at a time. Of the present panel chairmen, two have now served for 2½ years each, one for 3½ years and one for 10½ years.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that in view of the development of taste and alterations in all the arts in the modern world, it would be more in line with good business to have articles of association which made the Arts Council change its chairmen of panels at specified periods? Is he aware that certainly some of the chairmen of 1224 panels have been associated with decisions which have been very unhappy in themselves and that it would give greater confidence if the panels did not have so much control and the Arts Council was not guided or controlled by its panels?
§ Mr. MaudlingAs I have said before about other things, I think that this is the sort of matter which we must leave to the Arts Council.
§ Dame Irene WardNot at all.
§ Mr. MaudlingWe have confidence in its conduct of its affairs and we must not interfere in its decisions in matters of this sort.