§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what benefits accrued to the arts in Wales from the European cultural festival organised during the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Council; what proportion of the total financial allocation was dedicated to Wales; and how many permanent jobs were created.
§ Mr. BrookeDuring the European arts festival some 70 events were held across the Principality in every art form—dance, theatre, classical music, jazz, opera, the visual arts and film. Approximately £320,000 was allocated to enable these events to take place. In addition, the festival planned and supported extensive education and community programmes involving some 100 schools in Wales. The festival has provided a good deal of additional short-term work for artists in Wales through the initiation of a wide range of new projects.