HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc311-2W
Dr. John Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which of the proposals made by the Chipperfield report on the Royal Fine Art Commission have been accepted; and when she intends to implement them. [31023]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The Government's response has been placed in the Library with the Chipperfield report. Recommendations concerning the post of secretary have been implemented and the post of deputy secretary, finance, has been dropped as suggested in the report. My right. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment expects to give advice to local planning authorities later in the year about consulting the RFAC on major developments. The standard term of appointment for commissioners has been reduced from seven years to five and new appointments made in 1994, 1995 and 1996 reflect the diversity recommended in the report. Various less specific recommendations have been taken into account in the working practices of the commission.