HC Deb 21 January 1980 vol 977 cc23-5
28. Mrs Renée Short

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he plans next to meet the chairman of the Arts Council.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

On Monday 4 February.

Mrs. Short

Does the Chancellor of the Duchy agree that he will certainly have much to discuss with the chairman of the Arts Council? Is he aware that the arts have been under-funded for the whole of this decade and that they receive less than 2 per cent. of the total education budget? Does he accept that this year £1 million has been lopped off the grant? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that the Arts Council is desperately anxious to know when the 1980–81 grant will be announced because it is living from hand to mouth waiting for the next financial year to bring the expected appalling news? May we know when the grant is likely to be announced and what it is likely to be?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I agree with the hon. Lady if she is saying that no Government in the last decade have given the support to the arts which I personally believe that they should have. I ask the hon. Lady to put the position in perspective. The cut in the Arts Council budget was smaller than that sustained by any Department. No cuts have been made by the Arts Council to any of its clients' budgets this year. An announcement about the size of the grant must be made to the House first. I hope that we shall be able to make an announcement within the next few weeks.

Mr. David Price

Before my right hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Arts Council will he talk to the Secretary of State for Trade and ensure that his Department makes a contribution to the Arts Council in view of the enormous importance of the arts to the tourist industry? Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is right for the Secretary of State for Trade to share responsibility for funding the Arts Council on a more generous basis?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The Secretary of State for Trade has no responsibility for the arts, but my hon. Friend's suggestion is most interesting. All contributions are welcome and I shall pass on his suggestion. However, my hopes are greater than my expectations.

Mr. Faulds

What action does the Chancellor of the Duchy intend to take to offset the damage outlined in the working party report, caused by the Arts Council not being in effective charge of its own operations because of restraints by the Department? What does the right hon. Gentleman intend to do to lessen those limitations on effective action by the Arts Council?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I do not believe that the Arts Council is under any restraints from the Department.

Mr. Faulds

But it is.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I am speaking for myself and from my experience. The cooperation between myself and the Arts Council is harmonious, happy and constructive. I hope that it will continue to be so.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no limit to the amount of taxpayers' money for which the Arts Council could find a home?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The demands of the arts on the total budget are modest, not excessive. I am glad that the present Government are able to say that the general level of support for the arts next year, despite the financial stringency, will be similar to this year's.

Mr. Cormack

Will my right hon. Friend have discussions with the chairman of the Arts Council about the Royal Academy? Does he know that the Arts Council feels that it is impossible to advance money to the Royal Academy? Does my right hon. Friend accept that the Royal Academy plays a vital part in the artistic life of the nation and should be assisted?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

Of course I accept that the Royal Academy is an important artistic and cultural institution. However, a basic principle of arts support is that decisions about the levels of support and who is supported are taken, not by myself, but by the Arts Council. It is important for that constitutional principle to be maintained. After all, there might be a Minister whose taste does not accord with that of my hon. Friend and he would then take a different view.