§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of(a) the Scottish Arts Council, (b) designers of curricula and (c) providers of education to discuss their role in raising the awareness of the role and importance of Scottish folk music in cultural development within schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement. [28579]
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§ Sir Hector MonroMy right hon. Friend and I meet senior representatives of the Scottish Arts Council from time to time to discuss a range of issues. Traditional music projects have benefited from substantial increases in funding by the council over recent years. The council also played an important advocacy role in the recent decision by the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama to introduce in autumn 1995 a degree course in traditional music.
My hon. Friend the Minister with responsibilities for education in Scotland, opened a forum on Scottish resources sponsored by the Scottish consultative council on the curriculum on 24 February 1995. An aim of the forum was to ensure that the framework of teaching and learning for all Scottish schools identified opportunities for Scottish culture, including music and dance, to flourish.