§ 16. Mr. HansonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to hold further discussions with interested parties over the future of Theatr Clwyd. [19388]
§ Mr. RichardsMy right hon. Friend and I have no plans to hold further discussions with interested parties over the future of Theatr Clwyd.
§ Mr. HansonIn light of the discussions among local authorities in the past week, and the tremendous efforts that they have made to find a solution to the problem, will the Minister agree to release the £1.3 million grant to the local authorities who will determine the future of Theatr Clwyd? If he will not agree to its release, will he lay down in the House this afternoon the conditions that local authorities must meet in order to save that theatre?
§ Mr. RichardsNeither my right hon. Friend nor I attended, nor were we privy to, the meetings that local authorities held this week. My right hon. Friend has made the Government's position perfectly clear. Not only has he written off the capital debt of £1.3 million, but—the hon. Gentleman should be aware of this—when the Clwyd county council budget was disaggregated for the forthcoming financial year, Flintshire county council got the £1.5 million portion of that disaggregation that had hitherto gone to Theatr Clwyd. It is now up to the Labour-controlled local authorities to put their hands in their pockets to save Theatr Clwyd—and the hon. Gentleman has more influence with them than I do.