HC Deb 30 March 1987 vol 113 c427W
45. Mr. Eastham

asked the Minister for the Arts what records are maintained by the Office of Arts and Libraries for theatre audiences.

72. Mr. Pendry

asked the Minister for the Arts what records are maintained by the Office of Arts and Libraries on theatre audiences.

Mr. Luce

The Arts Council maintains records of attendances at subsidised theatres, and has just published figures for 1985–86, which show audiences of 5.6 million, an increase of 4 per cent. over 1984–85. The Society of West End Theatre publishes figures for its membership: over 10 million tickets have been sold in each of the last two years.

55. Mrs. Clwyd

asked the Minister for the Arts whether he will set up a study of the audiences for theatre.

Mr. Luce

No. Adequate records are already maintained by the Arts Council for the country as a whole and by the Society for West End Theatre. The City university recently carried out an extensive survey of London theatre audiences.