§ Baroness Turner of Camdenasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to publish their conclusions on the matters raised in the consultation paper published by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport A New Approach to Investment in Culture of 24 July. [HL306]
118WA
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe consultation paper which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport issued in July contained a number of proposals for change in sectors for which his department is responsible. At the same time my right honourable friend was able to announce an extra £290 million for those sectors over the next three years. Today my right honourable friend is publishing the conclusions he has reached in the light of the consultation, together with the detailed allocation of funding to sponsored bodies.
Some of the main conclusions from the document are: a new watchdog to monitor and improve standards of efficiency and financial management and promote quality across all our sectors; streamlining of national bodies in the arts and crafts, the built heritage, film and museums and libraries to improve the delivery of services across these sectors; a more effective, slimmer national strategic body for tourism in England; a new national body to champion architecture; a stronger voice for culture in the English regions, and a DCMS presence in all government offices; new three-year funding agreements with DCMS's sponsored bodies, placing clear responsibilities on those bodies to deliver our objectives against demanding targets.
Copies of the document A New Cultural Framework have been placed in the Libraries of the House.