§ Mr. Cormackasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is now able to announce the grant-in-aid he proposes to give to the Arts Council in 1981–82.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe House will be glad to know that in the expenditure plans for 1981–82, which I shall be submitting for parliamentary approval, I intend to provide for a grant of £80 million to the Arts Council of Great Britain. This represents an increase of just over 14 per cent. on this year's grant. I also intend to provide £1.4 million for the Crafts Council, and £6.4 million for the British Film Institute. The Arts Council grant contains a special addition of £1 million to its housing the arts fund, which in part continues the Government's contributions towards the development of the Royal Opera House. Similarly, the Crafts Council grant includes provision for an extension of the present exhibition gallery, which will meet a long-felt need in this area.