§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Minister for the Arts how many arts organisations in the Greater London council and metropolitan county areas have been affected by the Arts Council decision to block its own replacement funding until agreement has been reached with the successor district or borough councils concerned.
§ Mr. Richard LuceThe Arts Council has sought in every case to negotiate settlements to which the successor authorities will also make a contribution. It has refrained from notifying client bodies of the grants it proposes to make until these negotiations have been completed. Overall agreement has been reached in Greater Manchester, Tyne and Wear, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and in many London boroughs, and further agreements are expected to be reached shortly. It is hoped that all individual grants will be announced within the next four weeks.