§ 29. Mr. Greenwayasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if the Minister for the Arts will make money available for concerts of artistic worth for pensioners and children; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is for the Arts Council and not for my noble Friend to allocate funds to arts bodies. Funded orchestras and other arts bodies normally put on concerts that are open to all who wish to attend; but most venues offer seats at concessionary prices for children, students and pensioners.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs it not sad that some concerts for children and pensioners have been cut out as a result of reduced spending? Does my hon. Friend agree that those two categories should have priority? Will he consider the possibility of direct funding for concerts for pensioners and children?
§ Mr. WaldegraveExperiments in encouraging the access of specific groups have nearly always proved less effective than the ordinary system of concessionary tickets. Most concert halls and theatres have such schemes.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonWill the Minister be making representations about the proposed takeover of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra by Bristol?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe right hon. Gentleman might feel that I have some interest in this matter. The Bounemouth Symphony Orchestra has always been partly funded by Bristol and I know of no firm proposals to change that. I shall write to the right hon. Gentleman about the latest situation if he would like me to do so.
§ Sir David PriceIs not the point that, uniquely, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra tours the whole of its region and goes in for community music? Is that not the answer to the question of my hon. Friend the Minister for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway)? We think in terms not of pensioners or school children but of the community as a whole. The more our big orchestras get out into smaller communities, the better for the purpose behind my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. WaldegraveI agree with my hon. Friend. When the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra comes to Bristol, there are normally concessions for the types of groups to which my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) referred.
§ Mr. FauldsWill the Minister try to get home to his noble Friend the enormous value of concerts for pensioners and children, in a recreational sense for pensioners and in an educative sense for children? Will he add to his representations the value of taking concerts and other artistic manifestations out to factories and such areas, as was done by one of our late lamented Glasgow friends with great success?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI am happy to agree with the hon. Gentleman. I have been to one of the children's concerts which are occasionally held at the Colston Hall, Bristol. They are marvellous occasions. There is nothing in the present arrangements which makes it impossible to have such occasions.
§ Mr. Peter BruinvelsWhy are concerts and events for the ethnic community funded, when concerts for children and pensioners, certainly in Leicester, seem not to be?
§ Mr. WaldegraveA local authority might choose that as the best local priority. Some interesting West Indian artistic things are funded in my constituency, and many of them are funded under the aegis of the Manpower Services Commission.
§ Mr. BuchanDoes the Minister agree that the most interesting artistic development in the House for a long time is the fact that every Tory Back Bencher is now beginning to feel the squeeze arising from the Government's policy? Does he further agree that pensioners and children are not alone in suffering under the present Government in regard to concerts, as the entire musical and threatrical world has suffered? As for taking the arts to factories, why are trade unions being excluded from the pound for pound scheme in sponsorship?
§ Mr. WaldegraveI was not aware of any properly organised project being excluded. If any is, I shall look into the matter and write to the hon. Gentleman. I do not think that, as the project is funded, anyone is excluded because of who he is. The hon. Gentleman misinterprets the questions that I have been asked by my hon. Friends. I detected no fear or trepidation, but the normal Conservative party and Government interest in these matters and a proper relationship between the spokesman and the Back Benches.
§ Mr. CormackCan my hon. Friend encourage two birds with one move by discussing with his noble Friend the possiblity of a special grant for the National Youth Orchestra to give a tour of concerts for pensioners?
§ Mr. WaldegraveThat would kill or, rather, entertain two birds with one pipe. I shall report my hon. Friend's suggestion to my noble Friend, who will undoubtedly say that such funding is a matter for the Arts Council.