§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost to public funds of the Visiting Orchestras Consultative Association; what secretariat support is provided by his Department; and whether he will publish the minutes of the association and its executive committee.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe income of the Visiting Orchestras Consultative Association is derived from subscriptions of £46.75 per annum per member plus a service charge of £1.50 per concert payable by the member submitting the proposed visit by an overseas orchestra to the association for its views. There is therefore a cost to public funds as a result of there being local authority members of the association, but not otherwise. My Department provides no secretarial assistance to the association. The minutes of the meetings of the association and its executive committee are not confidential and are circulated to all members of the association and to the Department. Wider circulation is a matter for the association.