§ 73. Sir J. Edenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science the total amount of public money given annually through the Arts Council or by other means to provincial orchestras; how this 148W compares with what is being done for London orchestras; and what plans he has to improve the relative position of provincial orchestras.
§ Miss Jennie LeeIn the current financial year provincial symphony orchestras are expected to receive direct assistance from the Arts Council of £298,500 Further, though it is not possible to give exact figures, they will probably receive about £289,000 from local authorities. Comparable figures for London orchestras are £81,000 through the Arts Council, and approximately £40,000 which the Greater London Council is making available for the three orchestras appearing regularly at the Royal Festival Hall. This excludes the emergency help under special arrangements that is being given to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, currently at the rate of £1,000 per week, pending the Government's consideration of the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry on the London Orchestras set up by the Arts Council. The position of the provincial orchestras will be in mind in considering these recommendations.