§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Prime Minister which Minister is currently responsible for carrying out the duties conferred by sections 1 and 10 of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964; and by what instrument that responsibility was last transferred.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Minister for the Arts exercises day-to-day responsibility for these functions. Currently he acts on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to whom the legal responsibilities were transferred by the Transfer of Functions (Arts, Libraries and National Heritage) Order 1984 (No. 1814). However the legal responsibilities will shortly be transferred to the Lord President of the Council, in line with the Minister for the Arts' position as Minister of State, Privy Council Office.