§ Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations have been received from the Harlequin Ballet Trust in relation to their future commitments and the grants provided by the Arts Council; what reply has been given to the approaches made by the Harlequin Ballet Trust; and what future action is contemplated.
§ Miss Jennie LeeI have received representations from the Harlequin Ballet Trust but, as I am sure my hon. Friend appreciates, decisions about grants are entirely within the discretion of the Arts Council. The Council's support was withdrawn only after repeated warnings to the company that its artistic standards were too low to justify the indefinite continuation of support from public funds.