§ Q14. Mr. George Jegerasked the Prime Minister in what way the charter of the Arts Council has been amended; and why the appointment of the new Chairman has been made by the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and not by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ The Prime MinisterThe amendments to the Charter of the Arts Council to which my hon. Friend refers have been effected by the Transfer of Functions (Cultural Institutions) Order, 1965. The main purpose of these amendments is to transfer the functions hitherto exercised by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science. This is in accordance 55W with the Government's policy outlined in the recent White Paper (Command 2601). One of the functions now exercised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is the appointment of the Chairman of the Arts Council.