§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was(a) the total bill for salaries and expenses for board members, (b) the administrative operating costs and (c) the total annual budget in the latest year for which figures are available for each regional arts board in England. [30198]
§ Dr. HowellsInformation about salaries of board members to public bodies is included in the Cabinet Office's annual report, "Public Bodies". Copies of this are placed in the Library of the House and the report is published on the Cabinet Office's internet website. The next edition of "Public Bodies", which will include numbers of appointments at 31 March 2001, is shortly to be published.
The table, supplied by the Arts Council of England on behalf of the regional arts boards contains the information requested by the hon. Member:
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport have had no incidents of fraud to report in recent years but systems in place are constantly reviewed. Two recent thefts have been investigated by the police and physical security and other measures have been taken to either prevent a repeat or detect and apprehend the 545W perpetrator. Security cover at departmental premises is 24 hours, seven days a week with closed circuit television surveillance in place. Security staff patrolling and CCTV unit placement is under review. Security risk assessments are standard practice, as is the vetting of prospective recruits. In common with other Departments, staff are encouraged to report any suspicions they may have that fraud and/or theft is taking place in the workplace.