HC Deb 19 January 1976 vol 903 cc345-6W
Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount Her Majesty's Government is proposing to spend on the celebrations commemorating the bicentenary of the United States of America.

Mr. James Callaghan

Her Majesty's Government propose to allocate an amount of up to £0.5 million for the official British contribution to the celebrations. The expenditure will be spread over five years on a series of projects approved by the British Bicentennial Liaison Committee.

The funds have been broadly allocated as follows:

up to £105,000 for expenses in connection with the loan for one year by Parliament to Congress of Magna Carta, the gift of a showcase and a permanent replica;

£180,000 for a joint five-year programme with the United States Government of exchange fellowships in the creative and performed arts;

£150,000 to cover British theatrical, orchestral and other artistic performances in the United States during the bicentennial period;

up to £35,000 for a bicentennial bell for the American people, to be hung in Philadelphia;

£30,000 for activities in the regions of the United Kingdom, publicity and various minor activities and administrative costs.