§ 19. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give a regional breakdown of grant-in-aid for the arts, specifying in particular how much was given to Wales and how much to London.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneDetails for all regions are not available, but this year the Arts Council expects to spend some £23 million in London and has allocated £4.9 million to the Welsh Arts Council which also receives grants from the Crafts Council and British Film Institute.
§ 23. Mr. Neubertasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will take steps to alter the system of public grants for the arts in order to ensure greater accountability.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe present system ensures full financial accountability in accordance with the requirements of Parliament. Responsible and authorita- 51W tive bodies such as the Arts Council have been set up to represent the public interest and 1 am confident of their ability to do so.