§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the major contributions to the arts that have been effected by the Minister specially responsible for the arts.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsMy noble Friend has shown a special interest in the support of regional activities, more popular art forms such as community arts and youth and music, and business sponsorship of the arts. He has made a large number of visits to all parts of the country in the encouragement of the arts.
§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the current establishment of the Arts Division of her Department; and if she will publish in the Official Report the artistic qualifications of the staff of the Minister responsible for the arts;
(2) what appointments have been made to the staff of the Minister responsible for the arts.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe Minister with responsibility for the arts is assisted by 36 civil servants in the discharge of his responsibilities for arts and libraries. Their duties are administrative, and like their colleagues elsewhere in the Department they have a variety of qualifications. Expert professional advice on the arts is available to my noble Friend from a variety of sources including the Arts Council, the Standing Commission on Museums and Galleries, the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Directors of the Trustee Museums and Galleries.