HC Deb 02 March 1981 vol 1000 c18
28. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science who will be the accounting officer for the arts budget.

Mr. Channon

As from the 1 April the accounting officer will be the permanent secretary of the Department of Education and Science.

Mr. Price

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that that is a substantial change from the situation that existed under his predecessor? How does he feel about being clasped under the wing of the permanent secretary of the DES? Does he feel that he will have proper control over the arts budget and that it will not be subject to erosion by others?

Mr. Channon

I am simply delighted to be clasped under the wing by which I am enveloped. I am totally satisfied about my independence. If I had not been, I would have been fully reassured by the letter that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister sent to the hon. Gentleman in his capacity as chairman of the Select Committee.

Mr. George Cunningham

Could the accounting officer try to get a bit of the defence budget shifted over to him, because more is spent on music and bands in the Forces than is spent on music by the Arts Council?

Mr. Channon

Alas, the defence budget is not a matter for me.