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Arts Council

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 February 1959.

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Photo of Miss Irene Ward Miss Irene Ward , Tynemouth 12:00, 24 February 1959

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what reply he has sent to the letter of the hon. Member for Tynemouth relating to the Arts Council.

Mr. Amory:

As far as I know, I have answered all my hon. Friend's letters. If she has any particular point perhaps she will write to me or raise it with my hon. and learned Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whom I understand she is seeing tomorrow.

Photo of Miss Irene Ward Miss Irene Ward , Tynemouth

Will my right hon. Friend agree that from my point of view his letters, when duly answered, have been most unsatisfactory? Can he explain to me—and this was the subject of my most recent letters—why a Government spokesman should give an entirely misleading account of the relationship between the Arts Council and the Carl Rosa? Does not he agree that that does not represent good government? I had always understood that Answers were straightforward and honourably given.

Mr. Amory:

I am sorry about my letters to my hon. Friend. I must try to do better. However, I am sure that she would not wish that everything in those letters should be published in HANSARD.

Photo of Miss Irene Ward Miss Irene Ward , Tynemouth

I would love it.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.

The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.

The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.