HC Deb 10 December 1990 vol 182 cc260-1W
Mr. Fisher

To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on the level of deficits in performing arts companies.

Mr. Renton

[holding answer 5 December 1990]: I am advised by the funding bodies that in total the accumulated forecast deficits at the end of this financial year for performing arts companies, including theatre companies, in Britain will be approximately £20.8 million. There are wide variations in the financial circumstances of the companies, both national and regional, within this total.

Mr. Fisher

To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has on(a) national and (b) regional theatre companies in deficit.

Mr. Renton

[holding answer 5 December 1990]: I understand that in total the accumulated forecast deficits at the end of the current financial year for the two national theatre companies are just over £3 million. The figure for other Arts Council-funded theatre companies is approximately £3.5 million, and the figure for theatre companies funded by the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils and the regional arts associations is approximately £2.5 million. There are wide variations in the financial circumstances of individual companies, both national and regional, within these estimates.