§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the members of the Arts Council's music panel and their relevant qualifications to judge the future funding of the London orchestras.
§ Mr. BrookeThe music advisory panel is constituted to be able to consider authoritatively the wide range of music supported by the Arts Council. Each year the council writes to a wide range of professional bodies, including the Association of British Orchestras, seeking nominations for the music advisory panel. Its current members are as follows:
Bryan Magee (chairman):
a member of the Arts Council appointed by myself;Professor Margaret Bent:
early music specialist, All Souls', Oxford;Richard Bernas:
conductor;Dr. Graham Dixon:
producer, Music Department, BBC Radio 3;Evelyn Glennie:
percussionist;Dr. Jonty Harrison:
composer, lecturer at University of Birmingham;Dr. Jane Manning:
soprano, Director of Jane's Minstrels;Priti Paintal:
composer;Dr. Jane Ritterman:
Director, Royal College of Music;Janis Susskind:
Head of Promotions at the music publishers, Boosey and Hawkes;Gail Thompson:
jazz musicianAs its name implies, the panel's role is advisory. Decisions about the future funding of the London orchestras rest with the Arts Council alone.
24WIt is for the Arts Council to formulate its artistic policies and to determine the means by which its decisions are implemented. I am assured that the council has given the most careful consideration to its approach to the funding of the London orchestras.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the level of grant from the Arts Council to the four London orchestras in each of the past five years; and what are the projected figures for the next three years.
§ Mr. BrookeThe information requested is as follows: