§ 59. Mr. Patrick Thompsonasked the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement on the future of the business sponsorship incentive scheme in 1987–88.
§ Mr. LuceThe business sponsorship incentive scheme has introduced £7 million of new money, and I can confirm that it will continue in 1987–88.
§ 60. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister for the Arts what is his latest estimate of the amount and ratio of Government sponsorship of the arts of and to business and private sponsorship.
§ Mr. LuceCentral Government support for the arts in 1986–87 is estimated at some £320 million, and business sponsorship at some £20 million, a ratio of 16: 1.
§ 63. Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Minister for the Arts what action his Department is taking to prepare for payroll giving to support for the arts.
§ Mr. LuceI greatly welcome the opportunities for benefit to the arts from the proposals for payroll giving in the last Budget. Plans are now being drawn up by the Inland Revenue for a scheme to enable employees to make gifts to charity which qualify for tax relief and which can be deducted from their pay directly by employers. It is intended to have the scheme operational at the start of the next tax year. As well as commenting on draft proposals, the Office of Arts and Libraries plans to issue in due course a leaflet for arts organisations which will help them make the most of the new scheme.