§ 41. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Minister for the Arts what have been the percentage increases in arts funding from his Department over the past five years in relation to inflation rates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe figures requested are as follows:
Central Government Arts Programme Inflation rates retail prices index Year Cash total £ million Percentage increase on previous year Percentage increase on previous year 1986–87 343 — — 1987–88 368 7.3 4.0 1988–89 414 12.5 6.0 1989–90 446 7.7 7.8 1990–91 494 10.8 110.0 1 Percentage change of first six months of the financial year over the same period of the previous year. This clearly shows the Government's commitment to support of the arts.