HC Deb 24 March 1970 vol 798 cc387-8W
135. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will withhold the payment of public money to the Arts Council for the use of the Institute of Contemporary Arts so long as the latter body at exhibitions for children offers for sale in the entrance hall posters similar to the one portraying the hips and thighs of a castrated man with his organs cut and lying on his body.

Miss Jennie Lee

I am told by the Arts Council that the poster, which was left over from a previous exhibition, was in error left on view when a new exhibition of children's toys was opened. As soon as the mistake was realised the poster was removed. The Institute of Contemporary Arts has undertaken to prevent any such episode recurring.

136. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will withhold payment of public money to the Arts Council so long ast it refuses to divulge the identity of members of the Literature Finance Committee which is responsible for distributing grants of money from public funds.

Miss Jennie Lee

Although the Arts Council is advised by a number of panels and committees, the Council alone authorises payment of grants.

The members of the Literature Finance Committee are Professor Frank Kermode, Mr. R.C. Davis-Poynter, Mr. Derwent May and Mr. Jon Stallworthy.