§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to ensure that no regional repertory theatres have to close as a result of reductions in the Arts Council's budget.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasIt is for the Arts Council to decide its own priorities for the distribution of its budget. I have no reason to suppose that the level of Arts Council grants in the current year will result in the closure of any regional repertory theatres; future years' grants have yet to be decided.