Public Bodies (Hansard, 15 February 1999)

Dr. Tony Wright
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69975]

§ Mr. Chris Smith
The following table gives the information required:
471W
²The Imperial War Museum say that none of its Board is a museum professional: all are "lay" and may ask questions as consumers.
³The NMGM have agreed in principle to hold one open meeting a year beginning in 1999
⁴The National Portrait Gallery do not allow non-Trustees to attend Board meetings.
⁵English Heritage advise that one Commissioner has been a recipient of a grant and can be described as a "consumer". As not all Commissioners are experts in the fields they represent they can be described as lay members.
⁶The Museum of London say that its Board is made up of people from a wide number of backgrounds who include people with lay or consumer representation.
⁷The National Museum of Science and Industry say that the Board is composed of individuals appointed by Government selected from those with interests and expertise which will assist and advise the Museum both with regard to visitors and care of the collections. These unpaid individuals provide a wide range of scientific, visitor, management and educational experience.
⁸The English Tourist Board holds three public meetings with Regional Tourist Boards annually which are also open to the industry and public.
⁹Members of the public who are complainants on fairness in broadcasting are invited to attend Commission hearings in which their complaint is being considered. However, meetings of Commission members are not usually open to the general public.

Dr. Tony Wright
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his requirement. [69965] Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings (b) hold public meetings

NDPB Admit the public to meetings Hold public meetings Lay or consumer board members Statutory requirement

Advisory Committee for the Public Lending Right No No Yes No

Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites No No¹ No² No

Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection No No No No

Advisory Council on Libraries No No No No

Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art No³ No³ Yes⁴ No

Royal Fine Art Commission No No No No

Theatres Trust No Yes Yes No

Treasure Valuation Committee No No Yes No

Football Taskforce No Yes Yes No

¹ The ACHWS holds annual meeting with licensees of designated wreck sites.

² The ACHWS' membership is balanced to reflect the wider range of interests involved in the area of underwater archaeology, including sport divers.

³ An annual meeting of the Advisory Council on the Export of Works of Art is held, at which all interested bodies are represented (public institutions and the trade).

⁴ The Committee includes representatives with consumer expertise.

NDPB	Admit the public to meetings	Hold public meetings	Lay or consumer board members	Statutory requirement
Advisory Committee for the Public Lending Right	No	No	Yes	No
Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites	No	No¹	No²	No
Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection	No	No	No	No
Advisory Council on Libraries	No	No	No	No
Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art	No³	No³	Yes⁴	No
Royal Fine Art Commission	No	No	No	No
Theatres Trust	No	Yes	Yes	No
Treasure Valuation Committee	No	No	Yes	No
Football Taskforce	No	Yes	Yes	No
¹ The ACHWS holds annual meeting with licensees of designated wreck sites.
² The ACHWS' membership is balanced to reflect the wider range of interests involved in the area of underwater archaeology, including sport divers.
³ An annual meeting of the Advisory Council on the Export of Works of Art is held, at which all interested bodies are represented (public institutions and the trade).
⁴ The Committee includes representatives with consumer expertise.