§ 33. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science for what purpose organisations drawing grants from the Arts Council employ a public relations firm, the name of which has been sent to him; what functions are exercised by this firm in advising on the expenditure of public funds; and what Government money is used in the retention of this firm.
§ Miss Jennie LeeA number of organisations receiving help from the Arts Council employ from time to time the services of public relations consultants. In the particular case the hon. Member has in mind the object is the normal one of obtaining advice on publicity methods and of carrying out certain publicity work. It is no function of the firm to advise on the expenditure of public funds. Public money is not used in the retention of the firm except in the sense that the organisations using it are in receipt of assistance from the Arts Council.