HC Deb 21 January 1985 vol 71 cc726-8
20. Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what representations the Minister for the Arts has received on his announcement of the allocation of the arts and libraries expenditure programme for 1985–86.

22. Mr. Pike

asked the Parliamentary Undersecretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what representations the Minister for the Arts has received about his proposals for funding the arts in 1985–86.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. William Waldegrave)

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts has received no formal representations so far on his announcement of the allocation of his programme.

Mr. Meadowcroft

Have the Minister's responsibilities in the Department of the Environment led him to realise the need to expand services, especially library services, at a time of recession and high unemployment to enable those who, alas, have no jobs at present to find other ways of occupying their time which are beneficial to them and in the interests of the community?

Mr. Waldegrave

It is vital to maintain an adequate library service at this time as at all others.

Mr. Pike

rose

Mr. Faulds

Since the hon. Gentleman is empowered to answer for arts matters in the House, although he is not the Minister, why is he so chary about answering for these matters when he is asked to do so by the media, in terms of interviews either with the newspapers or with the radio and television companies?

Mr. Waldegrave

I am not sure that that is really a matter best discussed here, but the answer is clear. The House, well understanding the convention that I can say that I will report a specific matter to my right hon. and noble Friend, understands that I am not a Minister for the Arts. I am not sure that I should find that easy to put across in the course of a television interview.

Mr. Speaker

I apologise to the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) for not calling him. I was deflected. Mr. Pike.

Mr. Pike

I am grateful, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister accept that the Government's proposals will cause severe difficulty for the Arts Council to maintain its levels of support in the regions, not only for existing schemes, but for new schemes such as the mechanics centre being proposed in Burnley?

Mr. Walegrave

I know what a determined lobbyist for the mechanics centre the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) is, because he has spoken to me about it on several occasions. My right hon. and noble Friend deserves congratulations in respect of the allocations that he has been able to make to the Arts Council. A real terms increase is not to be sniffed at.

Mr. Cormack

In view of the problems and opportunities that will arise as a result of Weston park, Kedleston and Nostell priory, does it remain Government policy to have special reserves available to deal with special needs?

Mr. Waldegrave

As we know from the events surrounding Calke abbey, specific crises have to be dealt with at the time. But I repeat that my right hon. and noble Friend has managed to secure a fairly reasonable overall increase in his programme for next year.

Mr. Jessel

On the provision of funding for the arts via the Arts Council within Greater London, will my hon. Friend confirm that such provision is made in respect of the National theatre, the opera, the ballet and the orchestras? Will he comment on the sudden curtailment of their share of support by the Greater London council, which claims to care about the arts?

Mr. Waldegrave

It is obviously for the Arts Council to make specific allocations to specific companies, though the great companies to which my hon. Friend referred must be at the top of its list.

One is left almost speechless by the irresponsibility of the GLC in threatening a scorched earth policy in the arts to make some point, probably, for all we know, within the Labour party, about the policy towards regional government.

Mr. Buchan

Is it not disgraceful to make that sort of attack on the GLC when the Minister knows that its response is due entirely to Government proposals and cuts?

The hon. Gentleman says that there have been no representations. Does he agree that there has been almost universal condemnation, including from the chairman of the Arts Council, the director of the National theatre and the director of the National gallery, all of whom have said that they are appalled and that the Government's proposals will gravely jeopardise their institutions?

Mr. Waldegrave

Since the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Buchan) mentioned Sir Peter Hall, I am willing to stand by his judgment. The weakest of the words that he used about the GLC was "vandalism". The House must recognise that the achievement of my right hon. and noble Friend in obtaining an increase in real terms this year for the Arts Council is a good one.

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