§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the Arts Council report "Fitness for Purpose" by Edward Birk on the provision of dance and drama training; and if he will make a statement. [56413]
§ Mr. Alan Howarth[holding answer 26 October 1998]: My Department and the Department for Education and Employment are working towards establishing a long term solution to the funding difficulties being experienced by students undertaking vocational studies in dance, drama and stage management. The Arts Council of England's "Fitness for Purpose" report is a helpful contribution to this debate and will inform our consideration of the issues.