§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the extent of business sponsorship of innovative arts projects and small arts bodies. [29932]
§ Mr. SproatA significant percentage of smaller arts companies have attracted business sponsorship. Based on statistics collected by the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts and analysed by the Arts Council of England, I understand that some 51 per cent. of arts organisations with a turnover of between £10,000 to just under £50,000 were in receipt of commercial support during 1994–95. Innovative projects also continue to receive sponsorship from the business sector. Recent examples include Barclays stage partners and the Guinness ingenuity awards for pub theatre.