§ 39. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with the appointment of governors of the British Film Institute.
§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken to transfer the 540W responsibilities of the British Film Institute in Wales to the Welsh Arts Council.
§ Mr. OakesUnder the proposals published in November 1975 (Cmnd. 6348) for devolution to Scotland and Wales, the Welsh Assembly will be responsible for the arts, except the export control of works of art. The British Film Institute is concerned with the art of the film. Up to the present, the Welsh Arts Council has by an informal arrangement acted as the agent in Wales of the British Film Institute for those of its functions which are not carried out by the institute's headquarters. These arrangements will be reviewed when the Government publish their more detailed proposals for devolution to Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the British Film Institute's grant in 1976–77 and in 1977–78 is to be transferred to the Welsh Arts Council.
§ Mr. OakesIn 1976–77 the Welsh Arts Council acts as the agent of the British Film Institute in Wales in respect of £15,000 of the resources available to the regions and to Wales of £218,000, out of its total grant of £2.514 million. The greater part of the grant—nearly £2 million—is spent on the BFI's own internal activities. In addition, the institute at present operates on a United Kingdom or "England and Wales" basis in making grants for "Housing the Cinema", film production, and in giving assistance to other organisations concerned with the art of the film. It will be for the institute to consider, in relation to the resources made available to it in 1977–78, and in relation to the Government's plans for devolution to Wales, what the arrangements should he for that year. These resources will not be made known until the publication next year of the Estimates for that year.
§ Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the formula whereby the percentage of the British Film Institute's grant transferred annually to the Welsh Arts Council is determined.
§ Mr. OakesThe extent to which the Welsh Arts Council acts as the agent for the British Film Institute in Wales is a matter for negotiation between the two 541W bodies. The institute is concerned to ensure that those of its resources which are spent outside its own organisation are fairly distributed throughout England and Wales. Further discussions are planned in which my Department and the Welsh Office will participate.
§ Mr. Gristasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will appoint a representative from Wales to the governing body of the British Film Institute.
§ Mr. OakesMy right hon. Friend will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind. She is always grateful for individual recommendations for membership from the widest possible sources.