HC Deb 19 October 1976 vol 917 cc426-7W
Mr. Hannam

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total per capita expenditure on the arts in the United Kingdom, Great Britain, England, Wales and Scotland; and how this compares with the total per capita expenditure on the arts in other EEC countries, in Scandinavia and the United States of America.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The latest available estimate of total arts expenditure from all sources, public and private, is for 1974–75, when it was about £150 million for Great Britain or £2.76 per capita. It is not possible accurately to divide this expenditure between England, Scotland and Wales as much of it relates to the whole of Britain.

In the same year the Arts Council of Great Britain received a grant in aid of £21.335 million out of which the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils received £2.428 million and £1.946 million respectively. Per capita figures derived from these grants are as follows:

Great Britain 39p
England 37p
Scotland 46p
Wales 70p

The Arts Council's grant in aid in 1975–76 was £28.570 million out of which the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils received £3.100 million and £2.3725 million respectively. Per capita figures derived from these grants are as follows:

Great Britain 52p
England 50p
Scotland 59p
Wales 86p

Expenditure on the arts in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

I have no figures on a comparable basis for other countries.

Forward to