To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who the Chair of the Arts and Media Honours Committee is; on what date the appointment was made; and for how long a term. (273105)

[holding answer 6 May 2009]: The Chair of the Arts and Media Honours Committee is Lord Stevenson of Coddenham.

He was appointed in line with the recruitment process set out in the Government's White Paper ‘Reform of the Honours System’ (Cm 6479), which was a response to the Public Administration Select Committee's July 2004 Report ‘A Matter of Honour: Reforming the Honours System’ (HC212-I), and Sir Hayden Phillips' report on his review of the honours system.

The post of the Chair of the Arts and Media Honours Committee was advertised in the Sunday Times on 9 March 2008 and on the Public Appointments Unit's website. Lord Stevenson's application was considered by an interview panel which drew up a shortlist of candidates who were interviewed.

Lord Stevenson was appointed on 18 June 2008. The position is unpaid. The normal term of appointment is three years.