Arts Council: Spending Outside London

Debate between Lord Gardiner of Kimble and Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland

Thursday 20th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

I wholeheartedly endorse what the noble and gallant Lord has said. In fact, the department is very conscious of the economic, social and intrinsic value of arts and heritage. That is part of the work that the department is undertaking.

[Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland (Lab)]

My Lords, the Minister mentioned favourably the county of Durham. However, even there, with regard to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the people of County Durham put in 30p per head and receive only 12p in grant funding.

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

I understand what the noble Lord is saying. That is precisely why the Arts Council is looking at moving the trend to the regions and I think that that will bear fruit. I want to go back to the importance of the working partnership between institutions that we cherish in London and those outside. There is a great cross-referencing of art and material from regional museums to London and vice versa.