§ Lord VAIZEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they appreciate that the effect of the Arts Council Charter, in contra-distinction to that of other bodies like the Science Research Council, is to prohibit payment of the chairman and members of the Arts Council, and that this confines membership of the body to persons of independent means or who have taken an oath of poverty.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION and SCIENCE (Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridge)I explained to the noble Lord in my Written Answer to him of 29th July that members of the Science and Social Science Research Councils and of the Arts Council do not receive salaries but may claim for out-of-pocket expenses for attending meetings. The only exceptions are the chairmen of the first two bodies.
812WAThe Government are well aware of the provisions of the Charter of the Arts Council although the consequence assumed in the Question is by no means correct. There is a long and honourable tradition of unpaid service which in the case of the Arts, as in many other instances, has great virtues as well as, in present circumstances, obvious difficulties. Most careful thought would be necessary before any change was made.