§ 6. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, in order to encourage the development of music in schools, he will give a grant to maintain the National Youth Orchestra.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Miss Jennie Lee)I understand the Executive Committee of the council of the orchestra is to meet next month and I shall be glad to consider any suggestions which may then be put to me.
§ Dame Irene WardI thank the Joint Under-Secretary for that helpful reply. Will she give an undertaking that after there has been such a meeting the whole position of the National Youth Orchestra, with all the support that it receives from various sources, will be made known to the public so that we may know how much support the Government are giving to this very useful and important movement?
§ Miss LeeI assure the hon. Lady that I share her admiration for this orchestra. It is very distinguished and I am deeply concerned about it, but because I am concerned I do not want to say any more just now.
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkWhile sharing the Minister's admiration for this orchestra, will she do everything she can to encourage local authorities to see what they can do to keep school orchestras of this kind together after children have left school?
§ Miss LeeCertainly. Indeed, I am working on a survey covering the whole sphere of what we are doing in drama and music, relating to those of school age and school leavers.