British Institute of Recorded Sound

HC Deb 02 August 1962 vol 664 cc112-3W

Mr. Ronald Bell

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he will make a statement about Exchequer assistance to the British Institute of Recorded Sound.

Mr. Barber

Yes. The Government have been considering a case put forward by this body which was founded in 1948 with the aim of forming a national archive of sound recordings. We are satisfied that this work is worthy of financial recognition and it is proposed, subject to the approval of Parliament, that a grant in aid should be made to the Institute for an experimental period of three years at the rate of £10,000 in 1963–64, £12,500 in 1964–65 and £15,000 in 1965–66. At the end of this period the position will be reviewed in the light of the situation at that time.