§ 12. Mr. David Kidney (Stafford)What standards he will set the national music service for the teaching of music. [48099]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Ms Estelle Morris)We have no plans to create a national music service. However, I can assure my hon. Friend that we do recognise the contribution that music can make to every child's education, and its importance in supporting children's cultural, spiritual and social development. That is why my Department's recent consultation paper, "Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools", proposes new funding arrangements to protect existing local music services.
§ Mr. KidneyIn Staffordshire, there is an excellent music service, as I am sure the capacity audience who were at Birmingham symphony hall last Sunday will testify, after hearing 1,000 Staffordshire schoolchildren perform before them. My hon. Friend's consultation on possible central funding of the music service is of concern to areas such as Staffordshire that already have an excellent service. Will she assure me that there will be no dumbing down of music teaching in Staffordshire in the event of moving to central funding? The objective of equal access to music, both learning and performing, is excellent, but will she take the time to ensure that any change in funding leads to effects that are harmonious, not discordant?
§ Ms MorrisI am sure that last Sunday's performance by Staffordshire schoolchildren at the international convention centre, which is a very special hall in Birmingham, was well worth attending. I assure my hon. Friend that the reason for the change is to protect music services, because they have not been protected in the past and year on year, there have been cuts that have damaged what is an essential part of a child's education and development. I can give my hon. Friend the assurance he seeks that the change is not about dumbing down, but about enhancing and extending opportunity, so that never again will music in our curriculum be threatened as it has been in the past.
§ Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex)In endorsing the words of the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) about Staffordshire children's musical ability, may I say that the same is true in my constituency and in West Sussex? I am sure that the Minister knows that anything that she and the Government can do to improve music teaching and the music service in this country will be greatly welcomed. However, does she agree that there is an opportunity to establish regional centres of excellence for music teaching? Perhaps it would be a good idea to select one or two schools in each region that have exceptional musical skills and to channel children to those schools for special teaching.
§ Ms MorrisThe hon. Gentleman has raised that question with me before and I have said that we are sympathetic to the idea. That is why we are putting far more resources into the specialist schools initiative, which now allows schools to make bids to specialise in music. One or two weeks ago, I was able to announce the first of the specialist schools that will concentrate on music; I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome that.
I know that the hon. Gentleman will also welcome, as has been welcomed throughout the education and music world, the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport that we shall launch the youth music trust, which will enhance opportunities to learn and practise music, not only in school, but outside school. We are determined that music will play its part in the exciting programme of out-of-school learning that the Government have launched. Children will have the opportunity to spend extra time on and to have access to extra expertise and resources in learning and practising music, as in many other subject areas.