HC Deb 26 July 1999 vol 336 cc73-4W
15. Mr. Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures his Department is taking to provide greater access to cultural events for schoolchildren from a wider range of social backgrounds. [91353]

Mr. Banks

Working with our sponsored bodies, my Department encourages all publicly funded organisations to ensure the widest possible access to cultural events. The New Audiences fund, managed by the Arts Council of England, has provided grants to pilot projects aimed at attracting new and younger audiences to such events. For example, New Generation Audiences will provide free tickets to cultural events to schoolchildren and encourage them to exchange information using the latest technologies.