§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the financial health of Britain's orchestras. [99902]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Department and the Arts Council have recognised for some time that the financial position of many of England's regional orchestras was precarious. For this reason we agreed with the Arts Council that a review of orchestras was necessary. The Arts Council announced the outcome of this review on 13 October. They are to be congratulated for identifying a pragmatic way ahead and I am sure that the orchestras will now seize this opportunity to secure their long-term future.