§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Minister for the Arts what steps he is taking to encourage greater assistance to arts organisations in rural and deprived areas through the business sponsorship investment programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceSeventy per cent. of awards under the business sponsorship incentive scheme go to arts organisations outside London; rural areas such as the Borders and Outer Hebrides feature in the scheme as well as inner cities. In 1987–88, Scotland was the second most successful region under the scheme, attracting £345,938 of new sponsorship which was matched by £194,185 of Government money.