HC Deb 22 July 1999 vol 335 cc616-8W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [90672]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 19 July 1999]: The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established since 1 May 1997 are essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

As a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the Department announced a streamlining of the delivery mechanisms which will result in the restructuring of certain bodies my Department sponsors including in the areas of film, architecture and museums, libraries and archives. This restructuring is currently taking place, although some aspects are subject to legislation.

The answer is as follows:

  1. (a) None (but see (c)(i))
  2. (b) Library and Information Commission
    • Museums and Galleries Commission
    • Royal Fine Art Commission
    • Advisory Council on Libraries (subject to legislation)
  3. (c)(i) Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in England merged administratively with English Heritage with effect from 1 April 1999;

The Crafts Council ceased to be directly sponsored by my Department with effect from 1 April 1999.

The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council will be established no later than 1 April 2000 replacing the Museums and Galleries Commission and the Library and Information Commission.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment will be established during 1999–2000 taking on the functions of the Royal Fine Art Commission.

The Film Council will be established during 1999–2000 taking on some of the functions of the British Film Institute. The British Film Institute will cease to be directly sponsored by my Department with effect from 1 April 2000.

Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites to be transferred to English Heritage (subject to legislation). (ii) None. (d) The Treasure Valuation Committee (formerly the Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee)1 New Millennium Experience Company (formerly Millennium Central Ltd.)2 English Tourism Council (formerly the English Tourist Board) (c) Details of all other NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997 sponsored by this department are listed in "Public Bodies 1998".

The following NDPBs have been established since 1 May 1997:

  1. (i) National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
  2. (ii) New Opportunities Fund
  3. (ii) Football Taskforce (to be disbanded during 1999)
  4. (iii) Historic Royal Palaces (formerly the Historic Royal Palaces Agency)
  5. (v) National Lottery Commission (formerly the Office of the Director of the National Lottery).

My Department is responsible for 53 public bodies which includes executive and advisory NDPBs and public corporations. 1 The Treasure Trove Reviewing Committee was reconstituted as the Treasure Valuation Committee in September as a result of the Treasure Act 1996. 2 Millennium Central Ltd. was reconstituted as the New Millennium Experience Company following the review of the Millennium Dome Project by the Government during May and June 1997.