HC Deb 12 December 1978 vol 960 cc208-9
2. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she has to build a cultural centre in London.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Gordon Oakes)

My right hon. Friend has no such plans. The many cultural facilities in London are continually being augmented, for example by extensions to the national museums, the new National Theatre and the proposed British Library.

Mrs. Short

Will my hon. Friend consider staking a claim for about 1 per cent. of the North Sea oil revenue in order to develop the arts in this country? Will he also launch a design competition for a cultural centre similar to the Pompidou centre in Paris, which, incidentally, was designed by a British firm?

Mr. Oakes

No. The policy of the Government, which has general agreement throughout the House, is that more facilities should be provided in the English regions and in Scotland and Wales. I remind my hon. Friend of the distinguished report of the committee over which she presided—the Labour Party NEC arts study group—which suggested that community centres' design and facilities should be determined by the needs of the communities they serve.

Mr. Marten

Will the hon. Gentleman resist suggestions for a cultural centre, which is bound to give rise to a group of intellectual snobs judging what should go on in it? Will he also remember that Adolf Hitler had a cultural centre and what a mess he made of that?

Mr. Oakes

I do not agree with what the hon. Gentleman said, but London is very well provided with cultural centres and the rest of the country needs considerable assistance.