Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of co-operation between the Scottish arts council and the Northern Ireland arts council; what projects have been jointly funded in the last year; and what future joint projects are planned. [17109]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonRegular meetings and discussions are held between the chairmen, chief executive and other senior staff, as appropriate, to discuss matters of common interest. In the last year the four UK Arts Councils and the Arts Council in the Republic of Ireland funded a five cities tour of poetry readings in December 1995, and the Scottish arts council and the arts council of Northern Ireland jointly commissioned from Piers Hellawell a musical composition for the Highland festival in June 1996.