HC Deb 07 December 1992 vol 215 cc581-2
5. Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received on the amount to be made available to the Arts Council in the coming year.

Mr. Brooke

I have received one letter expressing concern about the settlement for the arts in 1993–94. I have noted some more general comments in the press. In a difficult year, a 2 per cent. increase in the Arts Council's grant in aid is by no means a bad outcome.

Mr. Banks

I realise that the right hon. Gentleman is an amiable old cricket buff with tastes that are somewhat less exotic than those of his predecessor, but is he not ashamed that, unlike the right hon. and learned Member for Putney (Mr. Mellor), he does not have such a good deal for the arts this year? Why has he conceded the principle of the three-year funding regime which was established in 1989? Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman should have a word with his immediate predecessor to find out how he was able to stand up firmly for the arts.

Mr. Brooke

The issue of three-year funding goes rather more widely than my Department, although I am flattered that the hon. Gentleman should think that I should be able to change the Government's total policy from within my Department. Funding for 1993–94 will be 17.5 per cent. above the funding that was available in 1989–90.

Mr. Spring

What progress is being made in diversifying art funding, in view of the great success in spreading interest in the arts, both in the business community and in the community at large?

Mr. Brooke

I am delighted to say that good progress has been made. At the end of last month, I announced that the business sponsorship incentive scheme, which was set up in 1984, has raised more than £50 million of new sponsorship for the arts. The Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts said last week that, despite the recession, sponsorship for the arts rose by 28 per cent. last year.

Mr. Sheldon

The hon. Gentleman's responsibility for the funding of the arts and for the Arts Council is probably his greatest responsibility. Will he bear in mind the important way in which the development of the funding arrangements, which have been fairly satisfactory, has proceeded over the past few years? It is up to the right hon. Gentleman to bring to bear the great pressure that the House brought in reaching the terms that were finally acceptable to the House.

Mr. Brooke

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will share my pleasure that the arts funding in 1995–96, despite the current difficult circumstances, will in real terms be in excess of the funding that was available in 1991–92.