§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Government propose to provide further support for the Royal College of Music centenary appeal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephIn view of the good response to the Royal College of Music's appeal, which has now raised over £2 million from non-Government sources, and to enable the college to commit itself to the construction of a new opera theatre, the Government have agreed on behalf of the taxpayer to increase their total contribution to £500,000. Of this, £300,000 has already or will shortly be paid under the terms of the agreement described in the answer to my hon. Friend on 10 May 1983. [Vol. 42, c. 237–38.] The remaining £200,000 will now be paid on completion of approved building work associated with the appeal, half in the current financial year and half in 1984–85, subject to the appeal raising from all sources £2.5 million and £3 million respectively by the time when payment is sought and, in the case of the final £100,000, subject also to parliamentary approval of the Department's Estimates for 1984–85. The Government hope that their offer will encourage further donations from non-Government sources to enable the Royal College to achieve its aim of raising £4 million in total.