HC Deb 09 May 1968 vol 764 cc602-4
20. Mr. Channon

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent, when allocating subsidies to the arts, he takes into account the foreign currency earnings of the institutions in question.

Miss Jennie Lee

Grants and guarantees for the arts are made by the Arts Council of Great Britain which takes all earnings into account.

Mr. Channon

Would the right hon. Lady agree that considerable foreign currency earnings are to be made from the arts? Is it not, therefore, important to give assistance whenever possible from this point of view, just as the Board of Trade helps firms in the export drive?

Miss Lee

The situation is that the excellence of our great companies and orchestras is such that they could spend their entire time abroad. We must, therefore, keep a balance in these matters.

Mr. Alfred Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the urgent need to give the National Youth Centre all the help that it can receive?

Miss Lee

Yes, Sir, and if my hon. Friend will table a Question on that topic I will answer it.

Sir Harmar Nicholls

Is the right hon. Lady aware that much of what she is doing would be better appreciated if people understood that there is every potential for the entertainment industry generally to make a considerable contribution to the nation's foreign earnings?

Mr. Strauss

Would my right hon. Friend confirm that she has no control, and desires no control whatever, over the allocation of funds by the Arts Council and that that is solely the Council's responsibility and not hers?

Miss Lee

I have answered that question and made the position clear on many occasions. My right hon. Friend should remember, on the other hand, the need for a certain amount of flexibility. It is only natural that hon. Members should be interested in knowing whether we are going ahead with such things as a great opera house or national theatre. It is equally right that, if hon. Members feel particularly strongly about a problem, they should raise it. I suggest, therefore, that the best course is for us to play this one by ear.

Sir C. Osborne

A fairly flat one, too.

21. Mr. Channon

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the proposed new official bureau to give assistance to local authorities in relation to the arts.

Miss Jennie Lee

The Arts Council does not have it in mind to set up a new bureau, but it does intend to commission a survey of the present position of the arts in the regions, with particular reference to the development of regional arts associations.

Mr. Channon

Can the right hon. Lady comment on the duties of Mr. Abercrombie when he retires from the Arts Council? He has been asked to commission a study. What are his terms of reference, who will be paying for it and can we have any other information on the subject?

Miss Lee

We are fortunate in that when the Secretary General, Mr. Abercrombie, retires, he will be undertaking a survey of what is happening in the regions. Only after receiving the report of that survey will the Arts Council be able to consider whether any fresh machinery is required. In the meantime, the Secretary General will be doing this work as an employee of the Arts Council.