§ 65. Mr. Masonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the need to resurrect the live theatre, particularly in provincial towns, and in so doing provide a training ground for repertory and variety artistes to maintain a high cultural standard on television; and if he will consider increasing his financial allocation to the Arts Council towards this end.
§ Mr. SimonThe Arts Council grant which has been considerably increased in recent years enables the Council to provide an important measure of assistance where necessary to the live theatre. Local authorities also have power to aid the theatre, and I am sure that television programme companies have had the point made by the hon. Gentleman in mind in deciding to make grants to assist the theatre and other arts. As regards the last part of the Question, when the Arts Council grant was increased by £115,000 to £1,100,000 in 1958, my right hon. Friend assured the Arts Council that they could expect this sum also in the two following years. It has in fact been necessary to increase the grant in 1959–60 to £1,218,000 to enable the Arts Council to provide for the specific needs of Covent Garden; but any further increase would be inconsistent with a triennial system.