§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what initiatives he is considering to promote public art and support for art schemes.
§ Mr. KeyThe Department of National Heritage already funds a scheme administered by the Royal Society of Arts known as "Art for Architecture" to encourage the integration of works of art and craftwork into new and refurbished buildings at the planning stage. Since its launch in 1990 the scheme has contributed to 17 projects and has received Government funding totalling over £0.25 million.
In addition, I welcome the lead taken by the Arts Council in promoting the principles of support for art which also emphasises the fact that art should be integral, rather than peripheral, aspect of new buildings. But at the same time I would like to reaffirm the Government's view that these schemes must be voluntary.