§ 29. Mr. ButlerTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on progress of the business sponsorship incentive scheme.
§ Mr. RentonI am delighted to have inherited such a successful scheme which has raised over £37 million in new money for the arts, including £12.28 million in Government awards. Recent research by the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts shows that over 90 per cent. of sponsors contacted intend to continue. That is excellent news.
§ Mr. ButlerHow popular is the business sponsorship incentive scheme outside the great metropolis?
§ Mr. RentonI understand that about 75 per cent. of business sponsorship schemes are located outside London. Indeed, one of my first pleasant duties as Minister for the Arts was to hand over business sponsorship awards in Glasgow to Scottish companies.