HC Deb 16 June 1966 vol 729 cc1646-7
42. Mr. Tinn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial assistance was given in the year 1965–66 by the Welsh Arts Council to the Llangollen Eisteddfod, and to the National Eisteddfod of Wales in the year 1964–65; and what assistance has been offered by the Arts Council of Great Britain to the Tees-side International Industrial Eisteddfod 1966.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Miss Jennie Lee)

In 1965–66 the Welsh Committee of the Arts Council gave the Llangollen International Eisteddfod a grant of £1,000, and in 1964–65 spent approximately £2,000 in aiding the National Eisteddfod of Wales. The amount offered by the Ants Council of Great Britain to the Tees-side International Industrial Eisteddfod 1966 is £500 in the form of a guarantee.

Mr. Tinn

While recognising that my right hon. Friend has no direct responsibility for the detailed allocations, may I ask her whether she would agree that there is a rather serious and depressing contrast between the size of these grants, bearing in mind that the Tees-side International Industrial Eisteddfod is a first-time event, bearing a greater burden of risk, and is estimated to cost £23,000?

Miss Lee

Yes, Sir. But, as I think my hon. Friend knows, these matters are left entirely to the judgment of the Arts Council, in which I have complete confidence, and the North-Eastern Association for the Arts gets a considerable grant from the Arts Council which can, if it pleases, supplement this amount.