HC Deb 03 March 1986 vol 93 c2W
39. Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Minister for the Arts when he expects arts organisations in the Greater London council area will be informed of their funding allocations from public sources for the financial year 1986–87.

Mr. Luce

Arts Council clients not affected by the abolition of the Greater London council have been informed of their allocations for 1986–87; the Arts Council will publish the figures this week. Those affected by abolition are being given interim assurances that their Arts Council funding will be no less than in the current year. Their final figures will depend upon the outcome of negotiations with the local authorities concerned. These are in progress. There are considerable anxieties over the unwillingness of Islington to accept a reasonable share of the responsibility. In all other cases in London, negotiations are going well. I understand that announcements can be expected in most cases over the next few weeks, and that it will then be seen that most local authorities have made a major contribution.