HC Deb 22 February 1968 vol 759 cc163-4W
48. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps are being taken to ensure that a greater share of grants by the Government for the arts, museums and galleries is given to the provincial centres and, in particular, to the north-west of England.

Miss Jennie Lee

In 1963–64, when the Arts Council's grant was £2.73 million, 34 per cent. was spent outside London. Five years later, in 1967–68, when the grant was £7.2 million—over two and a half times as much—the proportion spent outside London was also higher—41 per cent. The amount spent in London includes subsidies to the national companies there.

Government support for regional museums and galleries over and above that accruing through the rate support grant is provided at present through the purchase grant fund administered by the Victoria and Albert Museum and through grants to the Area Museums Councils. Both have been increased in recent years.