HC Deb 09 April 1970 vol 799 cc734-5
23. Miss Harvie Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the report of the Arts Council Working Party on Computer Booking.

Miss Jennie Lee

The Working Party on Computer Booking which will make its report to the Arts Council was set up by the council about a year ago at the request of the major subsidised companies and the Society of West End Managers. An interim report is expected to be available at the end of May.

Miss Harvie Anderson

It will be welcome to know that this is coming at the end of May, but would it be possible also to expedite this report, in view of the fact that its result should be a considerable increase in audiences, which, in certain areas and in certain fields, is badly required?

Miss Lee

I entirely agree with the hon. Lady. We badly need a computer system. Tickets might be available in one agency while people cannot get them from another. I can assure her that the Arts Council is well aware of this. It is in everyone's interests that we should get this system working as soon as possible.