HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc470-1W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings, (b) hold public meetings, (c) have lay or consumer representatives on their boards and (d) operate some form of appeal or complaints procedure; and if in each case this is under a statutory requirement. [69975]

Mr. Chris Smith

The following table gives the information required:

2The Imperial War Museum say that none of its Board is a museum professional: all are "lay" and may ask questions as consumers.

3The NMGM have agreed in principle to hold one open meeting a year beginning in 1999

4The National Portrait Gallery do not allow non-Trustees to attend Board meetings.

5English Heritage advise that one Commissioner has been a recipient of a grant and can be described as a "consumer". As not all Commissioners are experts in the fields they represent they can be described as lay members.

6The Museum of London say that its Board is made up of people from a wide number of backgrounds who include people with lay or consumer representation.

7The National Museum of Science and Industry say that the Board is composed of individuals appointed by Government selected from those with interests and expertise which will assist and advise the Museum both with regard to visitors and care of the collections. These unpaid individuals provide a wide range of scientific, visitor, management and educational experience.

8The English Tourist Board holds three public meetings with Regional Tourist Boards annually which are also open to the industry and public.

9Members of the public who are complainants on fairness in broadcasting are invited to attend Commission hearings in which their complaint is being considered. However, meetings of Commission members are not usually open to the general public.

Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his requirement. [69965] Department(a) admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings (b) hold public meetings

NDPB Admit the public to meetings Hold public meetings Lay or consumer board members Statutory requirement
Advisory Committee for the Public Lending Right No No Yes No
Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites No No1 No2 No
Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection No No No No
Advisory Council on Libraries No No No No
Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art No3 No3 Yes4 No
Royal Fine Art Commission No No No No
Theatres Trust No Yes Yes No
Treasure Valuation Committee No No Yes No
Football Taskforce No Yes Yes No
1 The ACHWS holds annual meeting with licensees of designated wreck sites.
2 The ACHWS' membership is balanced to reflect the wider range of interests involved in the area of underwater archaeology, including sport divers.
3 An annual meeting of the Advisory Council on the Export of Works of Art is held, at which all interested bodies are represented (public institutions and the trade).
4 The Committee includes representatives with consumer expertise.