§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware of the closure of a number of theatres in Scotland; and whether he will seek powers to make grants to such theatres.
§ Miss Jennie LeeThe Arts Council have powers, which are exercised in Scotland by the Scottish Arts Council, to make capital and recurrent grants to theatres in pursuance of the objects set out in the Council's Charter; that is to say, to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts and to increase the accessibility of the arts to the public. Local Authorities also have powers to aid theatres under Section 132 of the Local Government Act, 1948.