HC Deb 18 October 1982 vol 29 cc16-7
23. Mr. Tilley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make special additional funds available for ethnic minority arts.

Mr. Channon

Assistance for the arts is given through the Arts Council, which takes account of ethnic minority applications when considering its grant distribution. Funds are also allocated to arts projects by the Commission for Racial Equality.

Mr. Tilley

Is the Minister not aware of the concern of many ethnic minority communities to maintain their own cultural heritage and so contribute to the cultural richness of multi-racial Britain? Is he not aware also that they feel that they should be able to look to the Government for public funds to provide some of the help that is needed? Will the Minister also confirm that Sir William Rees-Mogg, the chairman of the Arts Council, in his letter to him on 31 August, suggested that there should be a specific allocation of funds in 1983–84 to help ethnic minority arts? Does he intend to agree to that suggestion?

Mr. Channon

Help for ethnic arts, or, indeed, any form of arts, is for the Arts Council to decide in the light of the funds received from the Government. I understand that the Arts Council wishes to give priority to arts provision that has relevance to ethnic minority communities. All these matters will have to be considered when the Arts Council allocation is settled.

Mr. Greenway

I back the call for support in respect of the arts for ethnic minorities. Does my right hon. Friend not agree, however, that, at a time of pressure on available funds, equal treatment must be given to all sections of the community when so many people are calling for help?

Mr. Channon

I believe strongly that this cannot be done on a per capita basis. All Arts Council grants must be assessed on the basis of artistic merit. It must not be done on a per capita basis. This must apply equally to ethnic arts projects as to any other.

Mr. Greville Janner

I accept that allocations cannot be made on a per capita basis. Does the Minister not accept, however, that in areas such as Leicester, with large ethnic minority communities, special care should be taken to see that cultural needs are looked after? Will he consult the governors of the BBC on the need for help to ensure that there are programmes in ethnic minority languages—in mother tongues—during those periods of local radio time which have been allocated to ethnic minority groups in general and to Asian communities in particular?

Mr. Channon

The last part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question should be addressed to the Home Secretary. I am not responsible for the activities of the BBC. I agree that there is a problem over ethnic arts. The Arts Council takes it seriously and has commissioned a special paper and a special report. Everyone is agreed that worthwhile artistic projects should have support from the Arts Council.