HC Deb 26 March 1984 vol 57 cc17-8
28. Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts, in the event of abolition of the Greater London Council what level of control the Minister for the Arts will exercise over existing and future developments of arts facilities on the south bank.

Mr. Waldegrave

My noble Friend is currently considering this and other matters in the light of the many views and suggestions put to him during the consultation period.

Mr. Banks

Will the Under-Secretary explain how the south bank can be run along commercially viable lines—the words used in the consultative document—in the light of the suggested change by the Arts Council in relation to the Hayward gallery? What will happen to the Hayward gallery, which is an integral part of the south bank?

Mr. Waldegrave

The consultation paper made it quite clear that there may be a role for the Arts Council in funding functions on the south bank.

Mr. Montgomery

How much longer will we have to wait for a statement on the Government's response to the consultative paper, in the event of the GLC and the metropolitan counties being abolished?

Mr. Waldegrave

I sympathise with my hon. Friend. The uncertainties create problems for the arts and must be diminished as soon as possible. I shall bring my noble Friend's attention to the urgency of the matter.