HC Deb 16 July 1979 vol 970 cc1020-1
20. Mrs. Renee Short

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what effect he expects the introduction of cash limits will have on the perfoming arts.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Cash limits have been applied to arts expenditure since 1976–77. The effect of those set for 1979–80 for expenditure on the performing arts will depend on how pay and prices affect these arts during this year.

Mrs. Short

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, under the Labour Government, Arts Council support generally was increased? Does he recall that when he was appointed to his office he said that under the Tory Administration more money would be spent on the arts? Is he not concerned about going back on that promise? As for waiting and seeing, may I ask him whether he is aware that shows are closing down because of the increased cost of VAT and the rising cost involved in buying all the materials needed for a production? What does he intend to do to keep the promise made when he was appointed?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I did not make any promise when I was appointed that more public money would be spent on the arts.

Mrs. Short

The right hon. Gentleman did.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

In fact, at the Royal Academy banquet I made a quite different prognostication. I hope that the amount of private sponsorship for the arts and the amount of private money coming into it will be substantially increased. As for the matter of cash limits, if the hon. Lady examines the arts Estimates block, she will find that the amount has increased from £68 million to £70 million.