§ 19. Mr. Arnoldasked the Under-secretary of State answering in respect of the arts by what means he intends to ensure a fair share of arts expenditure in the regions.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. William Waldegrave)This will be a matter for the Arts Council to decide when allocating its annual grant to the arts activities it supports.
§ Mr. ArnoldBecause of the Government's decision to abolish the Greater Manchester council, which I welcome, will the Minister hold early discussions with metropolitan boroughs to persuade them freely to assume the responsibilities for expenditure on the arts that were previously held by the Greater Manchester council?
§ Mr. WaldegraveFormal consultations will follow the publication of a White Paper in the autumn. My noble Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will doubtless hold discussions with many concerned parties.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonWill the Minister take into account the fact that many programmes are prepared years in advance and, that, currently, the planning of such programmes is being held up pending a solution? Is there not a need for speedy action to ensure that spending plans are not prejudiced by excessive delay?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe right hon. Gentleman makes a good point. We must try to reach conclusions on these matters in reasonably speedy time.
§ Mr. FauldsWhile we are all pleased to see the hon. Gentleman filling the gap, have not the Government demoted the arts by making the appointment to another and lesser place? Is not the subterfuge of appointing an Under-Secretary to answer for the arts pursuing the arm's length principle to a ridiculous extreme?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe exact contrary to the hon. Gentleman's suggestion is the truth. My noble Friend will doubtless be a distinguished Minister He is directly responsible to the Prime Minister. If anything can be deduced from the reorganisation, it is the opposite to that suggested by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mrs. Renée ShortIs the Minister aware that Wolverhampton has a great interest in the development of regional arts funds? With the help of the local authority, and great help from the people as a whole, we have refurbished the Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton, which is due to open next September. Will the Minister put pressure on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that more resources are made available for the support of regional arts throughout the country, and especially in the west midlands?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe proportion of Arts Council funds going to the regions has changed from about one third 20 years ago to two thirds now, so there has been steady progress. I have no doubt that that progress will be maintained.
§ Mr. WallerFollowing the Government's commitment to abolish the metropolitan county councils, will my hon. Friend take into account districts such as Leeds and Bradford in west Yorkshire, which make provision for many people who live outside their borders? Currently such districts do not have resources to provide the services in the way that they wish to provide them.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt will undoubtedly be necessary to discuss in detail the particular cases that arise in each of the metropolitan county areas.
§ Mr. Greville JannerDoes not the Minister understand that the greatest problem facing theatres in the regions is the precarious future? It is not a question simply of obtaining money for the present, but of planning for the future in a way that will enable people to provide the services that they can and should provide. Will the Minister make a special effort to help such theatres as the Phoenix and the Haymarket in Leicester to continue the service that they provide to the public?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI am not sure that the problem is confined to theatres. The problem is a real one and we understand the need for clarity as soon as possible.