§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if Her Majesty's Government have had any representations from regional 609W art groups regarding distribution of grants; if he is satisfied that the ratio of expenditure per head of population is equitable; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveA small number of regional arts groups have written to my noble Friend, and he has met representatives of regional arts associations. It is for the Arts Council to determine how its grant should be allocated; it does so on an assessment of the needs of arts bodies, and not on a per capita basis.