To ask the Minister for the Arts what representations he has now received about the closure of art galleries in Edinburgh; and if he will reconsider his decision not to hold an inquiry into the Scottish Arts Council's funding of the visual arts.

I received five letters about the Edinburgh art galleries, including one from the hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan). This matter falls within the remit of the chairman of the Arts Council of Great Britain, to whom I have referred the correspondence for his consideration and for direct replies. I have, however, been kept closely in touch with developments and I understand that the chairman's view is that an inquiry would be inappropriate. I see no reason to dissent from this.