§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will make a statement about the current level of private funding for the arts.
§ Mr. Luce[holding answer 30 November 1988]: There are no precise figures available, but the most important source of private funding for the arts remains the box office. The PSI report on the economic importance of the arts indicates a figure of some £433 million spent on admission to arts venues (museums and galleries; built heritage; theatres and concerts; and cinemas). In addition, business sponsorship brings in around £30 million annually to the arts and I expect this figure to grow in the future. Information is not held centrally on private donations but evidence suggests that some are substantial.