§ 42. Mrs. John GreenwayTo ask the Minister for the Arts whether he will make a statement on the concept of plural funding for the Arts.
§ Mr. LuceI announced at Newcastle in July of last year the start of a long-term plan for the funding of the arts. The aim of the plan is to maintain the level of support from public funds in a way which encourages subsidised bodies in the performing arts, museums and libraries to become more self-reliant in their development and growth. My announcement last November of a substantial increase in arts funding for 1988–89 and the two subsequent years represented an important practical step towards the implementation of this plan. My announcement included specific provision for incentive schemes for the performing arts and for help to museums and galleries to improve their management and marketing.