§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what recent representations the Minister for the Arts has received concerning future funding arrangements for the National Federation of Music Societies; if the Minister will raise the substance of these representations with the chairman of the Arts Council at this next meeting with him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy noble Friend has received some 1,200 letters expressing concern over the Arts Council's decision to devolve the funding of the National Federation of Music Societies to the regional arts associations. He is in touch with the chairman of the Arts Council about the council's strategy review, but decisions in respect of individual bodies are matters for the council itself.