§ 55. Mrs. Virginia Bottomleyasked the Minister for the Arts whether he is satisfied with the progress of the business sponsorship scheme for the arts.
§ Mr. LuceThe business sponsorship incentive scheme has proved highly successful in raising £12.4 million of new money for the arts and attracting over 400 first time sponsors. A total of 70 per cent. of BSIS money has gone outside the London area. I believe that the scheme can attract still more sponsors for the arts and, as I indicated to the House during the debate on the arts on 12 March, I have decided to continue the scheme in 1988–89.