§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has for encouraging the arts in South Yorkshire.
§ Mr. Key[holding answer 10 July 1992]: This year's allocation of central Government funding, through the Arts Council, to the Yorkshire and Humberside Arts Board is £4.5 million and represents a 13.9 per cent. increase over 1991–92.
The Government's urban programme has contributed to the cultural industries quarter in Sheffield, which is a model of urban regeneration. This has contributed to a lively arts scene, which includes the refurbished Lyceum theatre, the Crucible theatre and the Ruskin gallery.
Yorkshire and Humberside Arts is presently working with the local authority in Barnsley on the preparation of a Barnsley arts plan. Opera North's community outreach programme already has strong links with the Barnsley arts group and has undertaken several projects in the town.