§ 9. Mr. Paul Flynn (Newport, West)What has been the percentage change in the (a) level of public subsidies and (b) size of audiences for live theatre in the past 10 years. [123677]
§ The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr. Chris Smith)Public subsidy for theatre decreased by about 1 per cent. in real terms in the 10 years to 1997–98, but will have increased by 7.2 per cent. in real terms between then and 2000–01. Meanwhile, in the 10 years to 1997—the last year for which figures are currently available—audiences for subsidised theatre decreased by about 16 per cent.
§ Mr. FlynnDoes not that reveal a bleak situation? The majority of live theatres around the country outside tourist areas represent an art form in decline. While we would all say that live theatre is an important part of the artistic inheritance of all the nations of Britain, perhaps the time has come to consider subsidising those of great artistic excellence and to reconsider transferring money to booming art forms—for example, the publication of books of poetry has doubled in the past five years—and the infinite opportunities that the new technologies present to provide live theatre and other art forms universally through the internet.
§ Mr. SmithI agree with my hon. Friend that those figures reveal that a small reduction in subsidy starves theatre of funds and results in a much greater decline in audiences. Therefore, reversing that decline, as we are in the process of doing, has been one of the important parts of the extra investment that we have put in place with the Arts Council. I am pleased that the Arts Council will allocate £1.4 million to literature in 2000–01, and more than 70 per cent. of that will be spent directly or indirectly on poetry.
§ Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley)I implore the Secretary of State to ignore what the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) has just said and to do all he can to encourage live theatre, which is one of Britain's national treasures, not only in the west end but in provincial theatres all over the country. When there is so much spare capacity, it is a great shame that people and young schoolchildren who would dearly love to go to live theatre are unable to do so. Will he ask the theatres to allow more people to see live theatre by encouraging either discount schemes or the use of spare capacity by schoolchildren?
§ Mr. SmithFor once, I agree wholeheartedly with the hon. Gentleman. That is precisely the point of the new audiences fund, which we put in place two years ago and have continued since. It is aimed particularly at helping 630 people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so, to see not only theatre but all forms of the performing arts. I am acutely aware of the plight of regional theatre—it has been highlighted by the Boyden report, which the Arts Council recently published—and, together with the Arts Council and the regional arts boards, we are considering how we can help in that matter.