§ 80. Mr. Donald ThompsonTo ask the Minister for the Arts how much business sponsorship is attracted outside London; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceUnder the business sponsorship incentive scheme, 70 per cent. of awards have gone to arts groups based outside London.
§ 87. Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Minister for the Arts what business sponsorship has been attracted for innovative works in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. LuceUnder my business sponsorship incentive scheme awards have gone to a very wide range of art forms. Examples include Allied Lyons' sponsorship of the478W Grand Union Music Theatre for its series of educational and community workshops involving commissions from Third world black writers and CNC Systems' support of the Mikron Theatre Company's south Pennine tour of areas not within easy reach of theatre centres, including performances in clubs, pubs and museums.
§ 88. Mr. CormackTo ask the Minister for the Arts to what extent business sponsorship funds have been used to provide for the refurbishment of national museums and galleries.
§ Mr. LuceNational museums and galleries which I sponsor have benefited substantially from the generosity of business and private sponsors. In an increasing number of cases this has been linked to incentive funding from the Government. Recent examples of sponsored refurbishment include the gallery of Chinese art sponsored by Mr. Tsui at the Victoria and Albert museum, the "Food for Thought" gallery sponsored by the Sainsbury Family Trust and other generous donors at the science museum and the rehang at the Tate gallery to which BP plc made a very substantial donation.