HL Deb 15 July 1992 vol 539 cc217-8

3.1 p.m.

Viscount Caldecote asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy for the future development of the Design Council.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)

My Lords, the Design Council has played a major role in promoting the importance of design in improving our industrial performance. The Government will continue to place great emphasis on this vital area.

Viscount Caldecote

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. In view of the importance which she obviously attaches to the work of the Design Council, can she confirm that the grant-in-aid to the Design Council for the next financial year will be at least as great as it has been during the current financial year?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, my noble friend recognises the importance which I attach to design. In return I praise the work that he did in establishing the Design Council and giving it the charisma which made an enormous difference in those years. Of course, any incoming Government and new Minister will seek to develop many aspects of policies and will continue to examine the work planned. The level of grant will be consistent with the council's corporate objective and its programme of work.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, cannot the noble Baroness give a straight answer to a straight question? Will the grant-in-aid next year at least remain the same?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, the straight answer, as I tried to indicate in the first part of my answer, is that until the policy and work are sorted out it is impossible to say either yes or no.

Lord Williams of Elvel

My Lords, in giving that perfectly straight answer, is the noble Baroness admitting that the grant could be cut?

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, perhaps it will help the noble Lord if I explain that the constant policy of the Government is to ensure value for the money which they spend. As a new Minister I am analysing the whole of the expenditure in the design area. Noble Lords can be certain that we support enormously the aim of encouraging industry to take advantage of the great skills which design brings.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the Answer that she gave to the noble Lord opposite is the only possible and proper answer for a Minister? I was very glad to hear her give it.