HC Deb 20 November 1978 vol 958 cc485-6W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what response he has made to the request from the Glasgow district council that he meet elected members of that council to discuss the provision of a concert hall to replace the former St. Andrew's hall: and if he will make a statement;

(2) if he regards the provision of a concert hall in Glasgow as a national cultural project which would justify its receiving special financial assistance from his Department.

Mr. Milian

I have asked the council for information about the priority it would accord to the project in relation to other projects in the general services section of its financial plan; and I have suggested a preliminary meeting with my officials, which need not preclude a later meeting with Ministers.

Since the proposed concert hall is intended to replace the main auditorium in the old St. Andrew's halls, which were burned down in 1962, having performed functions similar to those of analogous halls in other major cities, the district council has been informed that I would expect the normal financial arrangements to apply rather than a special grant being made available by the Government.