HC Deb 24 May 1982 vol 24 cc641-3
18. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with the amount of support from all sources for the arts in the outer London boroughs.

Mr. Channon

I am never satisfied, but the situation differs a good deal from one borough to another. If my hon. Friend has a specific point I should willingly consider it.

Mr. Chapman

In the debate and controversy that surrounds the distribution of the total arts grant, the argument usually centres on how much London gets and how much the provinces get. Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people in the outer London boroughs believe that they are completely bypassed? Although, quite properly, substantial tranches of arts grant go to the national institutions such as the Royal Opera House. the National Theatre and the English National Opera. knowing the excellent work that is done by the arts centres in the outer London boroughs—not least Barnet arts centre—will my right hon. Friend keep a friendly watch on the situation?

Mr. Channon

Yes, I think that my hon. Friend has made a good point. The distincition is between central London rather than London as a whole and the rest of the country. I accept that some areas of outer London need a great deal of help in the arts. I shall bear my hon. Friend's views in mind.

Mr. Dykes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an exciting plan to establish a significant theatre complex in Harrow? Will the Government give support and encouragement to that plan?

Mr. Channon

I suspect that that is a matter for the Arts Council, rather than the Government. If my hon. Friend writes to me I shall look into the matter.

19. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the Arts Council about future funding of the arts.

Mr. Channon

I shall be seeing the new chairman of the Arts Council later today and will, of course, be having regular discussions with him on matters concerning the arts.

Mr. Blackburn

Will my right hon. Friend accept the congratulations of the House on the recent settlement on grants for the arts? Will he impress upon the new chairman of the Arts Council that it is more than a question of public expenditure for the arts and that he should give his full weight to sponsorship, which many hon. Members see as the way forward in the arts?

Mr. Channon

Yes, I shall certainly do that. There is widespread support in the House for the concept of sponsorship of the arts as a welcome and growing supplement to public support.

Mr. Faulds

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that no Government can be thought of as fulfilling their full responsibilities towards the arts if, as the Government have done, they fund the arts through the Arts Council at a real monetary value that is less than the current rate of inflation? Will the right hon. Gentleman ponder that fact—and the fact that it is a minor thing to lose a marginal job in a Shadow Ministry when one happens to be right on a major issue of the day?

Mr. Channon

I do not think that I should be drawn into the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, except to say that on personal grounds I much regret his disappearance from the arts scene. However, I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that it is essential, at a time of economy in public expenditure, that all areas, including the arts, should bear their share. In the circumsances, what the Government have been able to provide for the Arts Council has been very good.

Sir Peter Emery

Will my right hon. Friend, during his conversation later today, draw the attention of the new chairman to the exciting new Welsh sculpture trust, which is arranging for sculptures to be placed in some of the most delightful parkland in South Wales? If there is no financial backing by way of sponsorship from industry, will the Government consider giving assistance within the existing budget? If that is impossible, will the Government consider what other measures can be taken to assist the project under the chairmanship of Judge Bruce Fletcher-Griffiths?

Mr. Channon

What my hon. Friend says certainly sounds an attractive and interesting idea. It will be helpful if he will write to me with details of the project.

Mr. Flannery

When the Minister discusses the funding of the arts with the chairman of the Arts Council, will he take into account the report of the Select Committee, particularly on VAT? Does the Minister realise that the anomalies are such that in some cases great orchestras pay more in VAT than the subsidy they receive from the Government? Is the Minister aware that this is having an adverse effect on the number of seats taken up at concerts and in the live theatre?

Mr. Channon

Naturally I am studying the Select Committee's report on this topic and I hope to reply in the not-too-distant future. This situation has persisted under both Governments in the recent past, and I note what the hon. Gentleman says.