§ 4. Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what official visits he has paid to theatres in the county of Cumbria in the last two months.
§ Mr. KeyUnfortunately, none. But I will be happy to consider invitations to theatres in Cumbria as part of any future visit that I make to the region.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursDoes the Minister agree that the Blue Box theatre in Keswick in my constituency is now one of the finest theatres in the United Kingdom? Would he be prepared to approach representatives of the sports and arts councils, to ask them to look sympathetically on the application for a grant of £500,000 to build a new theatre to replace the old one, on the side of Lake Derwentwater?
§ Mr. KeyI shall be delighted to draw the hon. Gentleman's concern to the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. I know that the Blue Box theatre has made an application for a grant of £500,000. The theatre is undoubtedly a much-enjoyed as well as a high-quality theatre; its only problem is that, if it moves again, it will fall down—hence the need for a new theatre. I am glad that the Department of the Environment has agreed that the theatre can be replaced, and I very much hope that the scheme will be successful and swiftly implemented, so that we can ensure that it is accessible to the vast majority of those in the north-west who wish to visit it—including the hon. Gentleman's constituents.