§ 70. Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will explain in more detail the background to his announcement to increase arts funding for 1988–89.
§ Mr. LuceMy announcement of a substantial increase in arts funding for 1988–89 and the two subsequent years 375W represented an important practical step towards the implementation of the long-term plan for the funding of the arts which I outlined in my speech in Newcastle in July. The average increase in allocations of 10 per cent. next year is intended to get this new approach off to a good start and to encourage arts insitutions to become more self-reliant in their development and growth.
§ 79. Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Minister for the Arts when he plans to meet the Arts Council to discuss the level of funding for the arts in 1988–89.
§ Mr. LuceI met the chairman and secretary-general of the Arts Council on several occasions before announcing the level of the council's grant-in-aid for 1988–89 on 5 November. The council will keep me advised of its plans for the distribution of the grant-in-aid.