§ 7. Mr. TippingTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met the chairs of the regional arts boards to discuss further devolution of arts administration.
§ Mr. KeyI look forward to meeting all the chairmen of the regional arts boards in due course. The Arts Council will submit to me by October its proposals for further delegation of its funding responsibilities.
§ Mr. TippingWill the Minister give an assurance that he intends to press ahead with the process of devolution? Bearing in mind the important part played by local authorities such as Nottinghamshire county council and the east midlands, will he assure us that they will have an important role in the process? The Minister will be aware 641 of Nottinghamshire county council's fine support for opera. Will he attend the opening of the new community opera in September in Mansfield?
§ Mr. KeyIf that were possible, I would be keen to do so, and I look forward to hearing more details. Yes, it is clearly our intention to press ahead with those reforms, which will be of great benefit in terms of more local accountability and will encourage more access to, and interest in, the arts locally.