§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the extent of payments made from public funds in respect of pop festivals; on which Vote or Votes they are carried; and what are the arrangements for insurance against damage from, and for claims against, the promoters and organisers of such festivals.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe only direct expenditure of Government money in respect of pop festivals—that is excluding the Exchequer grant element in policing costs and in any expenditure that may have been incurred by local authorities—has been in connection with the festival at Watchfield this year. Payments of about £3,500 have been made by the Property Services Agency to meet expenditure on the provision of certain essential services at the festival site against an underwriting by the Crown Estates Commissioners. There are contributions780W from the festival organisers and others to be set against expenditure incurred by public authorities in connection with the festival, but a final assessment both of costs and contributions has yet to be made.
It is for promoters and organisers of festivals to make whatever arrangements seem appropriate to them to meet any claims which might lie against them.