§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that his grant to the Arts Council will be £7,200,000 this year against £3,910,000 in 1965; and, in view of the public criticism of extravagance, if he will drastically reduce this grant.
§ Miss Jennie LeeYes. This is the sum voted by this House earlier in the year and it has been widely welcomed. The grant to the Arts Council represents about .075 per cent. of total Government expenditure. Far from being extravagant we still have some way to go compared with most other civilised countries.