§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2001,Official Report, column 202W, on dancing schools, what is his estimate of the number of voluntary dance classes; how much financial assistance is provided for these classes; what his estimate is of the number of Irish dancing schools provided by the voluntary sector; and how much financial assistance is provided for these schools. [153580]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthDance classes are provided through a diverse range of public, privately-funded, and voluntary provision. Because of this diversity, an assessment of the number of voluntary dance classes would prove a significant undertaking. The Voluntary Arts Network advises that there is anecdotal information on provision of voluntary dance classes, but that a comprehensive and thorough assessment is not available based on current information. The Foundation for 709W Community Dance, the national development agency for community dance, recently undertook a mapping exercise to establish the range of participation in dance provided by the funded sector across England. This excluded local private dance schools, organisations specifically catering for recreational dance forms (including Ceroc) and dance opportunities offered by the commercial sector. However, sources include: local authorities (significant), European funds, the Single Regeneration Budget, the Health Service, Regional Arts Boards, Lottery, trusts and foundations. Private, commercial and voluntary provision is also significant.