§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what representations he has received about the Arts Council's decision to reduce its funding to the London orchestras; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will make a statement on the method which the Arts Council has proposed for deciding on the level of its future funding of London orchestras.
§ Mr. BrookeI have received approximately 20 letters on the Arts Council's decision to adopt a different approach to its funding of the London orchestras.
1989–90 £ 1990–91 £ 1991–92 £ 1992–93 £ 1993–94 £ LPO 450,000 465,000 461,920 1,062,000 1,128,500 LSO 600,150 600,000 1,048,000 1,110,880 1,128,500 Philharmonia 450,000 540,000 568,940 700,000 711,500 RPO 435,050 450,000 459,140 400,000 400,000 The Arts Council has asked its clients to plan for a 2 per cent. grant reduction in 1994–95 and for standstill grants in the subsequent two years. The Council did, however, write to all its clients at the beginning of this financial year to say that it could no longer give revenue-funded organisations 12 months' notice of any intention to cease or substantially reduce its funding. The letter also stated that the Arts Council was undertaking a review of its activities.