§ 44. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the way in which the Arts Council assesses and distributes national and local subsidies for the arts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss Jennie LeeI have the highest confidence in the ability of the Arts Council to fulfil this difficult and important task with skill and impartiality.
§ Dame Irene WardBut is the right hon. Lady aware that the secretary of the North-Eastern Association for the Arts, Mr. Dunbar, has made grave complaint about not having the grant which will be paid to the Association told to the committee in time to make its forward estimates? Although the Arts Council may do a jolly good job, we could do with the matter being speeded up a little on the North-East Coast.
§ Dame Irene WardI have never spoken to him.
§ Miss LeeI am sure that Mr. Dunbar will be willing to tell the hon. Lady some of his secrets and will inform her that he had advance information about the amount to be granted. The Arts Council is now working on three-year forward planning, because, clearly, before projects can not only be got off the ground but kept off the ground, it should have adequate advance information.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs my right hon. Friend aware that we in the North-East are very grateful for the greater support which we are now getting in the development of the arts? Will she encourage regional organisations elsewhere in the country to be the main channel through which arts support is passed on?
§ Miss LeeWe are doing quite well by leaving the initiative to come from local areas. We have four well off the ground and eight coming forward. We believe that this is the way to get the best results.