§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Film Council will be made subject to the(a) rules and (b) methods of accountability of the civil service. [16647]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Film Council is already a non-departmental public body, accountable to Parliament and my Department. The Chief Executive of the Film Council is appointed as accounting officer by my Department's Permanent Secretary, and acts in accordance with Treasury requirements to ensure propriety and high standards of financial management. The Chair and Board appointments are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department's relationship with the Film Council is governed by a financial memorandum which allows the National Audit Office to inspect the Film Council's accounts, and a funding agreement which identifies what the Council must deliver in return for the funding it receives. Expenditure of lottery money is subject to policy and financial directions issued by my Department.