Oral Answers to Questions

Zarah Sultana Excerpts

Thursday 9th July 2020 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Dowden]

My hon. Friend is too modest to admit it on the Floor of the House, but I thank him too for his vital work in helping to shape this important package and to support this vital sector. I would of course be delighted to meet the APPG. In fact, the only thing that would give me more pleasure would be to go on a visit with the APPG to a theatre that was performing, which I hope will happen soon.

[Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Lab)]

What steps he has taken to support the creative industries during the covid-19 outbreak.

[Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

What steps he has taken to support the creative industries during the covid-19 outbreak.

--- Later in debate ---

[Zarah Sultana]

My constituency is home to excellent theatres, live music venues, and museums and galleries. I would like to put it on record that I was pleased to join the trustee board of the Albany theatre earlier this week. It is in part thanks to this vibrant cultural sector that Coventry was awarded city of culture 2021. The measures announced earlier this week are vital to ensuring that these organisations survive through the crisis, so will the Minister meet me to ensure that the support package finds its way to Coventry and keeps those organisations afloat?

[Caroline Dinenage]

Yes. The hon. Lady makes an excellent point, and I am very excited to spend more time in Coventry when it celebrates being the city of culture in 2021. She is right to draw attention to some of the incredible theatres and other cultural assets that her city has, and I would be very keen to meet her to discuss that further.