Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Leader of the House

Oral Answers to Questions

Judith Cummins Excerpts
Thursday 3rd March 2016

(8 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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I agree with that. I understand that the funding has helped, for example, to make the festival director a paid position for the first time. It is a great example of how the Arts Council is working with organisations all over the country, but particularly in the north, to support our world-class arts and heritage.

Judith Cummins Portrait Judith Cummins (Bradford South) (Lab)
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As the Minister will know, the Royal Photographic Society’s archive was recently threatened with being moved from Bradford’s National Media Museum to London. What assessment has he made of the impact of such a move on cultural provision within Bradford, the wider Yorkshire region and, indeed, the northern powerhouse?

Lord Vaizey of Didcot Portrait Mr Vaizey
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I have been closely involved with the Science Museum on the future of the National Media Museum, and I am pleased that it is now being put on a firmer footing. However, I would say to the hon. Lady that there is extensive support for the arts in Bradford, with something like £9 million of Arts Council funding. I point her to the excellent article by the chief executive of the Arts Council about the support it is giving to Bradford.