HC Deb 23 June 1959 vol 607 cc1003-4
13. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the grants to Sadlers Wells Opera House being given by the London County Council over an extended period; and whether he will now consider the advisability of making the Government grants to the Arts Council on a three-year basis instead of annually.

Mr. Amory

I welcome the proposed grant to the Sadlers Wells Trust by the London County Council. As to the second part of the Question, when I increased the Arts Council grant for 1958–59 by 11½ per cent. to £1,100,000 I told them that they could count on it being maintained at this figure for the two following years.

Mr. Jeger

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that all artistic endeavours have to be planned a long time ahead and that in the Report on the Arts Council and Sadlers Wells, issued recently, attention was directed to the fact that these organisations are unable to go ahead in their future plans because of uncertainty?

Mr. Amory

Yes. I recognise the importance of that point, and I will try to bear it in mind.