HC Deb 21 January 1985 vol 71 c728
21. Mr. Michael Marshall

asked the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what liaison the Office of Arts and Libraries envisages with the English Tourist Board in connection with the England Entertains Campaign in 1985.

Mr. Waldegrave

My right hon. and noble Friend welcomes the campaign and liaises as necessary with the English Tourist Board, and the Arts Council of Great Britain is represented on the England Entertains committee.

Mr. Marshall

Is my hon. Friend aware that the campaign slogan is "See it live in '85"? What do my hon. Friend and his right hon. and noble Friend intend to do about taking up that invitation? Will my hon. Friend also say what his Department intends to do in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry to highlight the important role for tourism of British theatre?

Mr. Waldegrave

The first point to make to my hon. Friend, who has considerable expertise in these matters, is to welcome the very dramatic increase in commercial theatre during the last year. Many fewer theatres have gone dark this year than last. This is greatly to be welcomed. It will make a stronger contribution to this programme. My right hon. and noble Friend's Department and other Departments will liaise as necessary with the campaign, which we welcome.

Sir David Price

Does my hon. Friend agree that there is a strong case to be made for the tourist industry making a direct financial contribution to support both the arts and the heritage, as they represent such an important part of the total capital of the tourist industry? To this end, will my hon. Friend begin negotiations with both the Department of Trade and Industry and the Treasury?

Mr. Waldegrave

If my hon. Friend is proposing a new tax of some kind, I hear what he says and I shall report it to my right hon. and noble Friend. We must also remember that it is open to those rich and prosperous companies which make money out of this admirable trade to make direct contributions themselves. I have no doubt that some of them do.