§ Mr. FisherTo ask the Minister for the Arts (1) what sums the Arts Council has invested in "Percent for Art" schemes in each of the last three years; and how much is budgeted for each of the next three years;
355W(2) what sums the Arts Council has invested in the infrastructure necessary to develop "Percent for Art" schemes.
§ Mr. Luce[holding answer 11 July 1990]: The Arts Council does not invest directly in individual "Percent for Art" schemes but encourages developers through education and example. It estimates that it has spent some £32,000 in this way since 1988. The success of its campaigning has created an increased demand for expertise and the council is now considering how best to meet this demand. It is already committed to spending £30,000 over the next three years to support the creation of new posts in four local authorities aimed at introducing the "Percent for Art" policy within the planning system. The council is meeting half the cost of these posts.