§ 6. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much financial assistance the National Youth Orchestra has received from the Arts Council during the past five years; and what was the figure for the National Youth Brass Band.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeGrants to individual organisations are a matter for the Arts Council.
§ Mr. PriceWill the Minister tell me why the National Youth Orchestra, quite rightly, receives a large sum of money each year whereas the National Youth Brass Band has consistently been refused assistance? Is he aware of the feel- 1654 ing in the musical world that if one is a middle-class harpist all is well but a working-class bugler does not get a look in?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeIf it be the fact, which I do not accept, that a workingclass bugler is not given assistance, the fault lies at the door of the Arts Council presided over by a member of the Labour Party.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsIs not the Arts Council ready to receive an application from any source and would not an application supported, for example, by the local authority in Rugby be well received by the Arts Council?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI must leave this internal battle to be settled between the two hon. Gentlemen opposite. When there is an Arts Council structure, it does not make sense for Ministers of any party personally to allocate funds. I am grateful for the support of the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins).
§ Mr. LaneI do not wish to do the brass band down, but has not the National Youth Orchestra's grant remained unchanged for at least five years and will my hon. Friend take every opportunity of encouraging this orchestra as a nursery for the great musicians of the future?
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeI certainly pay a warm tribute to the work of the orchestra, but the money allocated to it must be an Arts Council matter.