Regional Arts Boards (Hansard, 19 December 2001)

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date she received the responses to consultations about the Arts Council of England's proposals to merge the regional arts boards to create a single organisation for arts funding; and if she will place a copy of the responses in the Library. [24080]

§ Dr. Howells
The Arts Council of England has submitted a progress report on its proposed reorganisation on 29 November 2001. This includes a summary of responses to the consultation and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will respond to this in due course.

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date she received the business plan supporting the Arts Council of England's proposals to merge the regional arts boards to create a single organisation for arts funding; and if she will place a copy of the plan in the Library. [24081]

§ Dr. Howells
On 29 November my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a progress report on which she will respond shortly.

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the 319W Chairman of the Arts Council of England's handling of the proposals to merge the regional arts boards to create a single organisation for arts funding. [24077]

§ Dr. Howells
The Government have every confidence in the ability of the Chairman of the Arts Council to deliver a streamlined system for funding the arts in this country. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a progress report to which she will respond shortly.

§ Mr. Yeo
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will assess the Arts Council of England's proposals to create a single organisation for arts funding against the criteria for new organisations established by her Department. [24082]

§ Dr. Howells
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a progress report from the Arts Council of England, which she will assess against her original criteria. These are to create a dynamic new organisation which brings regions to the heart of the funding system, delegates decision making, sets challenging targets for administrative savings and is simpler and more consistent for those applying for funding.