§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Minister for the Arts what progress the business sponsorship incentive scheme has made in the north-west; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceTwenty three arts organisations in the north-west have received awards under the BSIS since it began in 1984; £340,000 raised in sponsorship has been matched by £170,000 BSIS, giving a total of £510,000 new money for the arts in the region.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to improve the effectiveness of the business sponsorship incentive scheme in Wales.
§ Mr. LuceThirty two arts organisations in Wales have already benefited under the BSIS, which has channeled £556,000 new money to the arts in Wales. I have agreed to support the opening of a Welsh office for the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts to promote the scheme and I hope this will open in the new year.