§ Judy MallaberTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to widen access to culture and to support the creative talent of people of all ages. [154772]
§ Mr. Chris SmithI am tomorrow publishing a Green Paper entitled "Culture and Creativity: The Next Ten Years". The paper looks forward to a future in which individual creative talent is given the support it needs from childhood to flourish; in which artists and cultural institutions are freed from bureaucratic controls; and in which freedom to explore and enjoy creativity and culture is available to all.
The Green Paper sets out how the Government seek to secure that future, both through cultural policy initiatives—such as creative partnerships between schools and cultural institutions and free access to national museums and galleries—and through the key role culture and creativity play in the Government's educational and industrial policies.
Copies of the Green Paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.