To ask the Minister for the Arts what grant was given by his Department to the Theatres trust in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement concerning the future of the trust.

[holding answer 10 June 1988]: The figures of support from my Department are as follows:

	£s
1983–84	11,000
1984–85	11,000
1985–86	11,000
1986–87	5,000
1987–88	nil

From April 1986 the Theatres trust has been in receipt of rental income from the freeholds of the Lyric and the Garrick theatres, which were vested in it following abolition of the GLC. It is my hope that using this and other income it will continue to be self-financing.