§ 27. Mr. Wigleyasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts whether he has had any representations during the past three months from the chairman of the Welsh Arts Council concerning the adequacy of funds for that council to undertake its responsibilities.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. and noble Friend has had no such representations.
§ Mr. WigleyWill the Minister check that answer, in view of the memorandum prepared by the Welsh Arts Council in the second half of July, which stated that the problems of the Welsh Arts Council are exacerbated by the serious underfunding that it is suffering, that that leads to problems with drama, especially mainstream drama, in Wales, that the visual arts in Wales receive inadequate money, and that the pressure on local authority finance means that the problems facing the arts in Wales are serious? Will he reconsider this matter?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI know that the problems are well recognised, especially the problems for funding, of having the dual cultural arts system which I am sure is important to the hon. Gentleman.