HC Deb 26 July 1977 vol 936 cc286-7
6. Mr. Crouch

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has any proposals to alter the structure and membership of the Arts Council.

Mr. Oakes

My right hon. Friend has no proposals for amending the Council's charter. Under the charter it is her function, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, to appoint new members as vacancies occur.

Mr. Crouch

Is the Minister aware that two years ago I was one of the few politicians who saw fit to risk his reputation in defending the pile of bricks that was on display at the Tate Gallery? I am prepared to do so again if I can be assured by the Minister that he will make appointees to the Arts Council from among those who have a sufficient quantity of liberalism and conservatism.

Mr. Oakes

Yes, Sir. I notice that the hon. Gentleman missed out another party in the House. I believe that the Council should be expert and efficient. In appointing a body of people who command the confidence of taxpayers, who pay money to the Arts Council for its wisdom and objectivity, I am certain that my right hon. Friend seeks to achieve a balanced Council.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

May I welcome on behalf of the Opposition the rejection of the proposals for democratising the Arts Council made by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short)? Although we would not wish to have a separate Ministry for the arts, will the Minister consider, in recognition of the fact that this country has emerged as a world power in the arts, changing the name of his Department to the Department of Education, Science and the Arts? [Interruption.] I am sure Labour Members will appreciate that our post-war successes have taken place in the arts.

Mr. Oakes

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that we have led the arts throughout the world in many respects since the war. That position has been well recognised by every country in the world. As for any change of name of my Department, I believe that the hon. Gentleman has proposed such a change on other occasions but it is a matter for the Prime Minister to decide the names of Departments. I have no doubt that that matter can be taken into account.

In reply to the first part of the supplementary question concerning a report connected with my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short), I would inform the hon. Gentleman that it has not been rejected. It has not yet been considered.

Mr. Weetch

Will my hon. Friend take note that last year, under the heading of "mobile sculpture", three students walked around East Anglia with a yellow plank on their heads? Will he also take note that in that artistic tour of East Anglia the students called in at a good proportion of pubs on the way? Will he also take note of the fact that this artistic escapade was financed by grants from the Arts Council? [HON. MEMBERS: "Shame."] Will he also bear in mind that most of my constituents failed to understand this manoeuvre?

Mr. Oakes

I never cease to be amazed at what students do, but it is rare that what they do is financed by the Arts Council. I believe that there was a great deal of public concern over this matter which was expressed at the time. I know that my noble Friend examined the matter very carefully indeed. However, having set up the Arts Council, we should not as a House then seek to dictate how it should spend its money.