To ask the Minister for the Arts how many representations he has received concerning Government funding of the arts; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Mr. Watts) on 12 February, at column 51. I have no immediate plans to make a statement on arts funding.

To ask the Minister for the Arts what information he has received on the number of organisations, regionally and nationally, which are planning to (a) cut their staff, (b) cut their operations or performances and (c) close down completely in the coming financial year, following changes in funding available to them from the Government; and if he will make a statement.

It is for the management of individual arts organisations to determine the level of their staffing and operations. Like any other organisation, they must set the scope of their operations within the limits of available resources. I am confident, however, that with an increase of 22 per cent. in the Arts Council's grant over the next three years, arts organisations will continue to build on recent successes.