§ Lord Graham of Edmontonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the total of public funds spent on the performing arts for each of the last five years, with particular reference to orchestras, ballet and cinema.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)Total central Government expenditure on the Arts Council, British Film Institute and the National Film and Television School, and estimated expenditure on (i) orchestral952WA provision, (ii) dance and mime (the figures for ballet not being held separately) and (iii) cinema, were as follows:
Total£m Orchestras£m Dance and Mime£m Cinema*£m 1980–81 77.51 4.96 3.29 6.54 1981–82 87.71 5.70 3.94 7.26 1982–83 100.72 6.67 4.43 9.42 1983–84 102.67 6.81 4.79 8.09 1984–85 108.70 7.20 5.23 8.70 *grant in aid to the British Film Institute and the National Film and Television School. Comparable figures for local government are not available.