§ 21. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many arts companies received grants from the Arts Council in 1979–80; and how many will do so in 1980–81.
§ Mr. ChannonThe Arts Council of Great Britain tells me that in 1979–80 it made grants to 1,234 organisations. The total for the present financial year will not be known exactly until the end of the year, but I am told that it is not likely to be lower.
§ Mrs. ShortDoes the Minister recall that great publicity was given to the 41 or so companies— [Interruption.]—whose grants were reduced this year by the Arts Council? Is the Minister further aware that this country earns about £11 million a day from tourism, and that that is largely due to our theatres and music? Does the Minister accept that many towns will have to close their theatres, and that as a result more unemployment will be created, not only in the theatre world, but in the other supportive tourist industries? What can the Minister do to educate this Philistine Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer? How can the right hon. Gentleman do a proper job when he is not in the Cabinet—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. With every respect, the hon. Lady will prevent another hon. Member from asking a question.
§ Mrs. Short rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I think that the hon. Lady has already asked at least two questions.
§ Mr. ChannonI do not understand how any reasonable person can accuse the Government of being Philistine when, before Christmas, my right hon. Friend the former Minister for the Arts announced an increase in the Arts Council grant of £10 million. However, I understand the feelings of some theatre organisations that no longer receive grants. I sympathise with them. On occasions, changes will have to be made. I cannot comment on the individual merits of each case, but I shall discuss this subject with the Arts Council.
§ Mr. NeubertIn view of recent controversial drama productions, will my right hon. Friend confirm that members of the Arts Council, and not salaried officials, are charged with the responsibility of making decisions in the public interest? It appears from press reports that on at least one occasion salaried officials took it upon themselves to make such decisions.
§ Mr. ChannonWhatever decisions officials take, they are ultimately responsible to the Arts Council. The Arts Council must take ultimate responsibility for decisions taken in its name. I note what my hon. Friend has said.
§ Mr. FauldsDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the stringency of the Government's economic policy has led to a situation where the cuts in Arts Council grants has gravely endangered the continuation of a large number of the community arts and theatre groups to which my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) briefly referred? They have suddenly been left without any of the funding that they reasonably expected to receive in the coming year.
§ Mr. ChannonWith respect to the hon. Gentleman, he does not seem to have seen the figures. The Arts Council grant has not decreased but has increased by a substantial amount. If any criticism can be made, it rests on how the Arts Council has distributed its grant. No Minister for the Arts has ever taken any part in that. I have said that I shall discuss this matter with the Arts Council.
§ Mr. CormackI congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment and thank him for what has been done for the Arts Council. As a matter of urgency, will he see the director-general and the chairman of the Arts Council? Is he aware that there is concern about some of the 41 cuts that have been made? Will my right hon. Friend once more make it abundantly plain that it is not the Government who have made the cuts? The Arts Council has used its delegated autonomy to do that.
§ Mr. ChannonI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind remarks. I shall see the chairman of the Arts Council later this week, and I shall make him well aware of the feelings that exist on both sides of the House.
§ Mr. FauldsWhen the right hon. Gentleman sees the chairman, will he emphasise that the damage has been done by the cuts? It is that aspect that so many groups find unacceptable and damaging.
§ Mr. ChannonI shall raise that point with the chairman.