§ 26. Mr. Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with the discussions about pensions of officials of the Arts Council.
§ Miss Jennie LeeNegotiations on the transferability of rights between the Arts Council scheme and other public service schemes have made considerable progress, and their satisfactory conclusion is confidently expected soon. The possibility of a change in the Council's scheme from a contributory to a non-contributory basis, which has also been requested by the Council, is being examined, but there is a good deal of work still to be done before a decision can be reached.
§ Mr. WrightSince this point was brought to the attention of the country in the Arts Council's report of 1968 by the noble Lord, Lord Goodman, why are we still awaiting a solution? Just how soon is "soon"?
§ Miss LeeI said that the essential decisions have been made. There are some points to be tidied up, but everyone is happy now that it is going in the way that we would all want.