§ 8. Sir H. Kerrasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps have been taken to implement paragraph 53 of the White Paper. Policy on the Arts, Command Paper No. 2601, with a view to adapting historic houses in charge of Government Departments as centres of the arts.
§ Miss Jennie LeeThe initiative in establishing arts centres must come from the local community. If proposals are made for the use as an arts centre of a suitable historic building in private ownership, its claims will be considered by the Arts Council. But proposals concerning historic houses in the Government's charge fall to be considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Public Building and Works.
§ Sir H. KerrWill the hon. Lady consider the experience of the Geffrye Museum in the Whitechapel Road where a craft centre is attached which makes the museum not only a centre for beautiful objects but of creative activity at the same time?
§ Miss LeeYes, Sir. I certainly will. We want to encourage both local councils and the arts associations by the knowledge that we now have a building fund; that the Arts Council is sympathetic, and that the Minister of Public Building and Works will co-operate, but the initiative must come from the local councils or local associations.