§ 11. Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he is making for the Arts Council for Wales for 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsSubject to parliamentary approval, the council will receive grant in aid of £13.541 million in 1994–95. That is 4 per cent. above provision in the current year.
§ Mr. EvansDid my right hon. Friend see the gloomy prognostications of a mythical Member of the House, who was described in The Western Mail as being the Member for Caernarfon and Ceredigion and Pembroke, North? Will my right hon. Friend underline and appreciate how much of a welcome there is in Wales for the positive announcement that he has just made in place of that mistaken gloom?
§ Sir Wyn RobertsI am happy to do so. My hon. Friend is correct. The story about a reduction in the Arts Council for Wales grant was totally untrue. As I have said, there will be a 4 per cent. increase. I see the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) brandishing a headline about the Welsh national opera company. I am pleased to tell him that the Arts Council for Wales element of grant will increase by 2 per cent. next year.