To ask the Minister for the Arts if he will obtain for his office's library a copy of the recent report produced jointly by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust and the Arts Council on provision for hard-ofhearing audiences, entitled, "Sound Off".
I have already done so. The report is a helpful survey of the provision of sound amplification equipment in London's theatres. It also explains how theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, libraries and other arts venues can apply to the ADAPT fund. This fund is part funded by the Government and assists in making essential adaptations and providing facilities for people with disabilities.
To ask the Minister for the Arts what plans he has to encourage increased provision for sound amplification equipment in theatres, concert halls and opera houses.
My aim is for the arts to be accessible to everyone. The Government have given £150,000 to the Carnegie Trust's ADAPT fund for the improvement of facilities for disabled people in arts venues. By use of challenge grants the fund aims to encourage additional, and at least equal, financial contributions from local communities. Some of the fund has been used to assist with the installation of sound amplification equipment, and applications are invited for further projects.