HL Deb 31 July 1952 vol 178 cc610-2WA
LORD CALVERLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government to publish the names of the Members of the Arts Council, and the total amount of money received from the taxpayer during the last financial year; also the names of those officials receiving salaries and expenses, and the amount received; and whether it is a fact that the Arts Council has an unlimited discretion in dispensing the taxpayers' money.

VISCOUNT SWINTON

The members of the Arts Council of Great Britain are:

  • Sir Ernest Pooley, K.C.V.O., LL.D. (Chairman).
  • Wyn Griffith, Esq., O.B.E., D.Litt. (Vice-Chairman).
  • The Countess of Albermarle.
  • Sir Bronson Albery.
  • Richard Capell, Esq., O.B.E., M.M.
  • John Carter, Esq.
  • Sir Kenneth Clarke, K.C.B.
  • Joseph Compton, Esq., C.B.E., M.A.
  • Edric Cundell. Esq., C.B.E.
  • Mrs. Hugh Dalton.
  • The Viscount Esher, M.B.E.
  • B. Ifor Evans, Esq., M.A., D.Litt.
  • Captain Sir Cecil Graves, K.C.M.G., M.C.
  • Captain J. H. F. McEwen, D.L., J.P.
  • George T. McGlashan. Esq., C.B.E.

There is one vacancy.

2. The total grant-in-aid to the Arts Council in 1951–52 was £870,000 inclusive of a special non-recurring grant of £300,000 for the Festival of Britain.

3. The officers of the Arts Council are:

Directorate—

  • W. E. Williams, C.B.E., Secretary-General.
  • M. J. McRobert, Deputy Secretary.
  • E. W. White, Assistant Secretary.
  • P. James, Art Director.
  • J. Denison, Music Director.
  • J. Moody, Drama Director.
  • D. P. Lund, Finance Officer.

Executive Officers—

  • G. White, Assistant Art Director.
  • Miss O. Popham. Art Department.
  • J. Wood-Palmer, Art Department.
  • Miss E. Davison, Art Department.
  • A.C. Taylor, Art Department.
  • Miss M. C. Tatham, Assistant Music Director.
  • I. S. MacPhail, Assistant Music Director.
  • E. L. Horn, Accounting Officer.
  • Miss H. Kranz, Treasurer.
  • Dr. G. Firth, Director for Scotland.
  • Miss Myra Owen, Director for Wales.

There are also in the Regions five other Directors and eighteen Assistant Directors.

The total salaries of the officers shown above, together with those of 82 subordinate staff, amount to £64,133; and expense allowances to £6,300. In addition, the Directorate and Executive Officers draw travelling and subsistence allowances for absences on official business as incurred.

4. The Arts Council is an independent body set up under Royal Charter. The preamble to its Charter, states that one of its purposes is to deal with any moneys Parliament provides for certain objects described therein; it is accordingly responsible for the allocation of the sums at its disposal.