§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what 357W submission has been made to the Minister for the Arts by the Arts Council regarding the sum it considers necessary to maintain standards of provision of the arts should the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils be abolished; how much has been offered by the Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. and noble Friend has seen the press release issued by the Arts Council about the total amount needed to support the arts after abolition. He understands that the Arts Council will be making a formal request for increased funding in due course. The Government have announced that they will provide £34 million in 1986–87, of which £16 million is for the Arts Council.
It remains the Government's view that part of the necessary provision should be met by the boroughs and districts, whose ratepayers will carry a smaller burden after abolition. My noble Friend will give careful consideration to the Arts Council's calculations and to any formal proposal which it may put to him.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if he intends to offer additional money to the Arts Council beyond the present level offered to fund arts organisations affected by abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. and noble Friend will consider the matter along with other proposals for increases in the present level of funding for the arts.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what representations he has received from the Arts Council about the level of funding to be made available to meet the needs of arts organisations affected by abolition of the Greater London council and the metropolitan county councils.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. and noble Friend has discussed the matter with the chairman of the Arts Council, and received a copy of the council's press release.