HC Deb 21 March 1968 vol 761 c576
17. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what financial help the Arts Council gives towards the administrative costs of regional arts associations.

Miss Jennie Lee

In 1967–68 the South Western Arts Association have received £5,000, and the Midlands Arts Association £3,000 for their administrative costs. Arts Council grants to the other regional arts association are related to the overall programme of the association and do not contain an identifiable element for administration.

Mr. Allason

What happens if a fresh regional arts association wants to get started? Can it apply to the Arts Council for a grant? Should it go to the local authority? How does it get started?

Miss Lee

The best advice I could give is to go to the Arts Council, because circumstances and activities vary from one part of the country to another. The Arts Council gives every possible help and advice.

Mr. Blenkinsop

I welcome very much what my right hon. Friend has done in this field, but could she still encourage the Arts Council to give special attention to the problem of development areas? Will she give help where new areas are taken into the regional council field?

Miss Lee

Yes. We want to give the maximum independence and opportunity at regional level, but we cannot invent creative persons in these fields. A great deal depends on having a good receiving end.