Minister for the Arts

In the United Kingdom government, the Minister for the Arts is a ministerial post, usually at junior or Minister of State level. The post has been in a variety of ministries, but after 1997 it has been a Minister of State position in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. From 1992 to 1997, the post was combined with the office of Secretary of State in the Department of National Heritage. The title of the post was changed to Minister for Culture in 2005, and to Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism in 2007. Under that last title, the office is currently held by Barbara Follett MP, who was appointed on 5th October 2008.

Past Ministers

"The individuals who have held the office of Minister for the Arts, their terms and Prime Ministers.."
*Jennie Lee (1964–1970) under Harold Wilson.
*David Eccles, 1st Viscount Eccles (1970–1973) under Edward Heath.
*Norman St John-Stevas under Edward Heath (1973–1974) and under Margaret Thatcher (1979–1981).
*Hugh Jenkins (1974–1976) under Harold Wilson.
*Jack Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Kingsbridge (1976–1979) under James Callaghan.
*Paul Channon (1981–1983) under Margaret Thatcher.
*The Earl of Gowrie (1983–1985) under Margaret Thatcher.
*Richard Luce (1985–1990) under Margaret Thatcher.
*David Mellor (1990) under Margaret Thatcher.
*Tim Renton (1990–1992) under John Major.
*Mark Fisher (1997–1998) under Tony Blair.
*Alan Howarth (1998–2001) under Tony Blair.
*Tessa Blackstone, Baroness Blackstone (2001–2003) under Tony Blair.
*Estelle Morris (2003–2005) under Tony Blair.
*David Lammy (2005–2007) under Tony Blair.
*Margaret Hodge (2007–2008) under Gordon Brown.

External links

* [http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/AF79456A-D133-4963-BF68-8030D4B2E3F3/0/PastMinistersArts12052005.pdf UK Government document listing past Ministers for the Arts] , DCMS (PDF).