§
Lords Amendment: No. 194, in page 99, line 4, at end insert—
(cc) the development and improvement of the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts and the crafts which serve the arts.
§ Mr. SpeedI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.
Clause 142 provides the main enabling powers under which local authorities may contribute towards entertainments and the arts. However, the wording and the marginal note give pride of place to entertainment and dancing, to bands or orchestras, and nowhere mention arts or crafts. The regional arts associations have long pressed for more satisfactorily defined powers, and the object of the Amendment is specifically to mention the arts and the crafts which serve the arts. The wording of the Amendment closely follows the wording of the Arts Council Charter, but the references to the crafts are in response to the Crafts Advisory Committee.
Amendments Nos. 195, 196, 197 and 198 are consequential to No. 194, which gives local authorities powers to contribute to developing and improving knowledge and understanding of the arts and the crafts which serve the arts. This is a civilised and progressive Amendment that I am sure will commend itself to the House.
§ Mr. John SilkinThis Amendment is long overdue and it is something with which the whole House will be delighted.
§ Mr. Robert CookeThe whole point about this Amendment is that the more people and interests involved with this activity the better. I am delighted that the Government have managed to include this in the Bill.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.