§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of British live theatres are(a) equipped for and (b) operating equipment for audio-description of live performances; and if she will make a statement. [175015]
§ Estelle MorrisArts Council England estimates that of the 283 theatres they fund in England, 53 (about 19 per cent.) are equipped with and operate their own audio description equipment. 11 additional theatres have their own equipment and use Vocaleyes, an Arts Council England funded organisation, to provide audio description. In the last 12 months, 12 additional theatres have used Vocaleyes for both their equipment and audio description service.
Arts Council England has committed £165,000 to the core funding of Vocaleyes in 2005–06, an increase of 68 per cent. since 2003–04.