§ 22. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to make further grant provision for the Arts Council in the current financial year.
§ Mr. ChannonNo, Sir.
§ Mr. FreudI welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his office. Does he agree that it is the suddenness of the cuts that has done such a great disservice to the theatre? Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that, as a result, the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company which performs at the open-air theatre, may well go to the wall? If the right hon. Gentleman cannot find any more money this year, will he consider a future policy of phasing out grant-aid rather than totally cutting it off?
§ Mr. ChannonI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his kind personal remarks. What he said emphasises what I said earlier, namely, that there is keen interest in all parts of the House, and some disquiet, about the way in which the cuts were announced. I shall take the matter up with the chairman of the Arts Council.
Mr. loan EvansIf no provision can be made for extra grant, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reduce VAT on theatre and opera tickets? The amount of VAT seriously affects repertory companies, which have to pay 15 per cent. VAT instead of the previous amount of 8 per cent.
§ Mr. ChannonFortunately, that is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider. I shall draw the hon. Gentleman's remarks to his attention.