§ Mr. Jim CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the current level of expenditure per capita on the arts. [30980]
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 26 June 1995]: Figures for total per capita spending on the arts are not currently available; my Department is supporting a research programme designed to produce an accurate overall measure of the level of creative artistic activity.
My Department's tax-funded budget for the performing and contemporary visual arts in 1995–96 is £200.6 million. With only small exceptions, this money is spent within England, giving a per capita expenditure in the current year from central Government of £4.13. My Department is also responsible for the national lottery, which expects to make available up to £200 million to the arts in England in the current year. If the Department's expenditure on museums and galleries is also included, the per capita figure is £12.75.