HC Deb 24 February 1992 vol 204 cc678-9
31. Mr. Amos

To ask the Minister for the Arts what steps he is taking to encourage the increase of touring by arts companies.

Mr. Renton

Following the record increase in Government funding of the Arts Council for 1992–93, I am delighted that the council has decided to increase its touring budget for England for next year by over 19 per cent. to £9.6 million, and to increase substantially the separate Great Britain touring fund.

Mr. Amos

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the quality of cultural life in the north-east is second to none? Will he join me in congratulating Queen's hall in Hexham on winning so many national awards? Will he give an assurance that he will sustain the generous funding of Northern Arts that he has managed in the past few years?

Mr. Renton

I am well aware of the good work carried out by the Queen's hall arts centre. Its public sector funding depends on money from Northern Arts, and I am delighted to confirm that, as a result of the record settlement that I was able to negotiate for overheads, Northern Arts will receive a 13.9 per cent increase for 1992–93 amounting to more than £5 million.