HC Deb 02 November 1993 vol 231 cc97-8W
Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his estimate of(a) total and (b) overseas earnings by the four London orchestras in the last financial year.

Mr. Brooke

The information requested is as follows:

£million
Total earnings Overseas earnings
LPO 4.4 1.04
LSO 5.5 1.57
Philharmonia 5.1 2.27
RPO 5.3 0.95

Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his estimate of the gearing ratio between grant aid and total income of the four London orchestras.

Mr. Brooke

The information requested is as follows: LPO—19.8 per cent.; LSO—14.4 per cent.; Philharmonia —12 per cent.; RPO—7.4 per cent.

Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what public consultation was undertaken by the Arts Council before reaching its decision to fund only two London orchestras.

Mr. Brooke

The Arts Council seeks informed and objective advice in determining its policies and priorities for the various art forms. In addition, the council takes close account of consumer research and monitors box office attendance figures.