HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc209-10
10. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action she is taking to promote business sponsorship of the arts.

Mr. Oakes

On the initiative of my noble Friend the Minister of State with responsibility for the arts, a launching grant of £15,000 was made towards the establishment in 1976 of the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts, whose main object is to encourage business organisations to sponsor the arts. My noble Friend frequently reminds the business and arts world that it is Government policy to encourage industrial and commercial sponsorship of the arts.

Sir A. Meyer

I express gratitude for that positive reply, but does the hon. Gentleman agree that in the interests of artistic variety and vitality it is most undesirable that the patronage of the arts should become a comprehensive policy of the State alone?

Mr. Oakes

I agree, and that is why this body was set up. I think that the hon. Gentleman will be interested to know that it is estimated that in the first year, up to March 1977, business firms contributed about £1 million in sponsorship. That is roughly treble the amount of money which came from the business world in the previous year. Therefore, the association is doing a good job.

Mr. Corbett

I encourage my hon. Friend in his endeavours to attract business and commercial sponsorship to the arts, but will he set his face against any attempt by tobacco companies to use this vehicle to promote their sales of these killing drugs?

Mr. Oakes

I think that that is a matter for the association to look into, I have no evidence at the moment that this practice exists.

Mr. Cormack

Does the Minister agree that the Chairman of the Imperial Tobacco Company has rendered very distinguished service to the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts? Will the hon. Gentleman enter into discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the basis that business sponsorship can be much better encouraged if we have a better taxation structure?

Mr. Oakes

It is certainly true that we want money for the arts, and we shall not set our face against any moneys coming to the arts. If there were to be any abuse by means of advertisements, clearly the association would look into the matter.