§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts (1) how much additional funding will be provided for support of the arts in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils; how much will be given to the Arts Council and how much the Government themselves will take direct responsibility for;
(2) what is his latest estimate of the shortfall in arts funding to be assumed by (a) the boroughs and (b) the districts in the event of the abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils.
§ Mr. Waldegrave[pursuant to his reply, 20 February 1984, c. 381]: My noble Friend is now considering most carefully the many representations made to him during the consultation period, which recently ended. The pattern of funding for the arts in the affected areas after abolition will depend on the outcome of my noble Friend's deliberations.