§ 3.8 p.m.
§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a Statement on the allocation of money for capital projects for new and/or improved concert-giving facilities during the next few years.
§ VISCOUNT ECCLESMy Lords, grants for building and repair of concert halls are given out of the Housing and Arts Fund administered by the Arts Council. The Council are now studying a survey made by Mr. John May of the places where concert hall facilities are lacking. I hope to receive the Council's comments in due course. Additional to the grants from the Arts Council the Royal Albert Hall has received a matching grant for repairs and renovation, and my right honourable friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales are considering major proposals for Edinburgh and Cardiff.
§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister very warmly for that satisfactory Answer, may I ask whether he can give us any time estimate of what is "in due course"? And may I ask whether, as a result of all this, there will eventuate an overall scheme for the improvement of concert halls and concert giving facilities in England?
§ VISCOUNT ECCLESMy Lords, I cannot say when the Arts Council will have finished their study of the plan, but in the meantime they are considering 907 Poole for a grant, where the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will have its home, which is most desirable. I agree with the noble Lord that if we could have a long-term plan to deal with concert halls, which have rather been left behind because theatres have come first, it would be a good thing.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, bearing in mind the fact that many orchestras now come from other countries, as recently the Danish State Orchestra came, can my noble friend say whether top priority will be given to places like Sheffield, which is a keen home of music and where real facilities could be provided for major orchestras?
§ VISCOUNT ECCLESMy Lords, I can assure my noble friend that the requirements of Sheffield, and indeed of Yorkshire, are much in our minds, but it is for the Arts Council to establish the list of priorities.
§ LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEYMy Lords, since the Minister regards an overall plan as a good thing (and I am delighted that he does so), will he in fact see that it happens?
§ VISCOUNT ECCLESMy Lords, it requires other Ministers as well as myself to see that it happens.