To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 2 July 2008, Official Report, columns 51-52WS, on DCMS engagement, what estimate he has made of the costs arising from abolition of the Regional Cultural Consortia. (223017)

The Regional Cultural Consortiums currently receive annual grant-in-aid from my Department of approximately £1.7 million. Thus, in overall terms, there will be a saving of £1.7 million per annum to the taxpayer arising from their abolition.

Each consortium has been asked to submit its detailed plan for wind up, including a full analysis of costs. Once we have had an opportunity to review and analyse these plans we will have a clearer estimate of the likely short-term costs. In addition, we are providing an extra £50,000 per annum per region to the four key public bodies to assist them in developing and implementing their plans for the new arrangements in the regions.