§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Arts Council of England regarding the future of its commissioning budget; and if he will make a statement. [83046]
§ Mr. Chris SmithI have regular discussions with the Arts Council of England on a wide range of issues. In the case of new music, I understand that the Arts Council and regional arts boards provided £74,000 and £262,515 respectively in 1998–99 for new music commissions. The Arts Council also funds a number of organisations which support new music (the Society for the Promotion of New Music, Sonic Arts Network, London Sinfonietta and the British Music Information centre) adding a further £619,200 to the above figures. Other regularly funded organisations support new music within their grant in aid allocations, and performing groups and composers have also received support through the Arts For Everyone schemes.