§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make regarding assistance to the National Youth Orchestra.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY (LORD SNOW)My Lords, as my honourable friend Miss Jennie Lee said in another place on March 3, we are now examining the legal difficulties 1101 which affect the powers of the Department of Education and Science to assist the orchestra financially. We are, however, determined to save it.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. May I ask him to ask his right honourable friend whether at least some of the additional £3 million which has been granted to the Arts Council can be given to an orchestra which has done a great deal for the country in foreign travel and has produced, and will continue to produce, some of our best orchestral musicians?
§ LORD SNOWMy Lords, we are as determined to support this orchestra as noble Lords would wish us to be. The difficulties are purely technical, and several solutions have been looked at. At the moment, the Department of Education and Science has not the power to produce the finance needed. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is about to take new powers to make him able to do so.