HC Deb 30 June 1980 vol 987 cc1081-2
24. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his discussions with leading figures in the City of London on the financing of the arts.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Norman St. John-Stevas)

I have had discussions with the chairman of the five London clearing banks about increasing their sponsorship of the arts and about the possibility of setting up a clearing banks foundation for the arts with an endowment, the income from which could be used to provide support for artistic events.

The banks assured me that they are already spending large sums on support for the arts, that they were planning to increase their efforts, but it was important to them, as competitive enterprises, to decide for themselves how they used their money.

I found these discussions very useful in clarifying the position of the clearing banks and in explaining to them the Government's policy of encouraging an increase in private sector support for the arts.

Mr. Dalyell

Did the right hon. Gentleman ask for £500 million? In the light of the profits that the banks are making, and are likely to make, in these inflationary times, should they not either show some public benevolence along these lines—and not only in relation to the arts—or submit themselves to the kind of tax that the oil companies have had to meet with the petroleum revenue tax?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I did not ask them for £500 million, as was erroneously reported in The Times under the byline of Mr. or Miss Roman Eisenstein. It was an inaccurate report. I do not know where it came from.

I was satisfied that the banks were making a considerable contribution to the arts. They concentrate on different spheres of activity—Lloyds, for example, on schoolchildren and young people; the Midland on certain major projects such as the Royal Ballet touring company, the Big Top, the York mystery plays and the Covent Garden proms; Williams Glyn on the North-West; and Barclays on rescuing D'Oyly Carte. I was satisfied, as a result of these conversations, that they would increase their support materially for the arts. This made the approaches very well worth while.

Mr. Fell

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the splendid work of that child of the City, the City and Guilds College? Will he visit the establishment, which lies only five minutes by car from the House of Commons, and give it all the support that he can?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is an excellent institution which does very good work for the arts. He suggests that I visit it. I shall be delighted to do so if it happens to ask me.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

During the right hon. Gentleman's discussions with these eminent gentlemen about grants, and so on, did any question come up about giving further grants to that wonderful theatre at Stratford, which currently has a marvellous show which originally was entitled "Ditch the Bitch"—the title has now been changed? Did he discuss that, because everyone is talking about it and saying how necessary it is to give the theatre more money?

Mr. St. John-Stevas

The hon. Gentleman and I must move in different circles. No one is talking to me about that play. Certainly I did not raise the matter with the banks. That was probably just as well, since I have never seen such unanimously bad notices for a play as that one received.