asked the Secretary of State for Wales what were the results of the first annual survey of derelict land in Wales carried out by local authorities in response to Circular 55/64 issued by the Minister of Housing and Local Government in September 1964.

The survey showed that there were some 14,200 acres of derelict land in Wales at 31st December, 1964. Of this 8,300 acres were considered by the local authorities to justify treatment. I shall, with permission, circulate a summary of the results in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my hon. Friend, as an outcome of this valuable report, take every step to arrest the spread of land dereliction? In this connection, to what extent has the reimbursement of local authorities which assist in the work been considered?

Every effort has been made to encourage local authorities to step up action in this matter. My hon. Friend and the House will see from the figures to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT that a good start has already been made. As regards the grant system, to which I understood my hon. Friend to refer, he will know that in the recent White Paper on Investment Incentives, it was stated that the grant will remain at 85 per cent., which we consider to be a sufficient inducement for local authorities to proceed.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for a new town in Mid Wales.

I am at present considering the proposals on this subject put forward by Economic Associates Ltd. and I am arranging for its report to be published as soon as possible. In the meantime, I propose to discuss the report with the Mid Wales Industrial Development Association. I have also asked the Welsh Economic Council to consider it at their next meeting. The Government's decisions will be made known in due course.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman admit that he has already had discussions with the Mid Wales Industrial Development Association on this and it was against the project? Is he not now the only man in Wales who considers this policy to be sensible, and will he, therefore, chuck it out of the window?

No, Sir. I have had discussions with the Mid Wales Industrial Development Association about the whole problem of Mid Wales, and it was not against this proposal. The Association is anxious, as I am, that we should supplement it by strengthening the economies of the existing towns. But this will be the first time that I have discussed with the Association the actual report presented to me on the proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether, in the preparation of the Plan for Wales, he will ask the Welsh Planning Board to consider the Aberdare-Hirwaun area as one for possible industrial and urban expansion.

Yes, Sir. With the completion later this year of the Heads of the Valleys Road and with the road improvements which I announced last November, this area will have good access both to the Midlands and to South-West Wales. Its labour resources should also help to make it attractive for further industrial development. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Welsh Planning Board will bear these advantages very much in mind.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that very encouraging reply, but will he consider also the possibility of this area as an effective counter-attraction to the possible conurbation now growing up in and around Cardiff and South Glamorganshire?

I am deeply concerned about the future of the Valleys. I attach great importance to the completion of the Heads of the Valleys Road to Hirwaun and its extension beyond that to South-West Wales. I hope that this will make the Valleys much more attractive because their communications will be so much improved.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if the Welsh Economic Council will institute a study of the question of the integration of transport facilities in Wales.

At the request of the Minister of Transport, the Welsh Economic Council has appointed a panel to make a pilot study of this question. I am glad to say that Sir Miles Thomas has agreed to be Chairman of this Panel.

Would my hon. Friend consider, as a step forward, calling together all those local authorities which have public passenger transport systems to consider possible integration if it is desirable in the public interest?

I have no doubt that the panel, under the chairmanship of Sir Miles Thomas, will regard the point put by my hon. Friend as very pertinent.

Will the Minister of State also remember, on the question of the integration of transport, that the Government are taking great steps to drive the private hauliers out of business in Wales and that if we want a transport service we must preserve them?

The Question referred to the integration of an efficient transport service. The Panel will be composed of experts under the chairmanship of an acknowledged expert and will report directly to the Secretary of State on all matters related to such a service. The party political points made by the right hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. Thorneycroft) will not, I hope, enter into the Panel's deliberations.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in the discussions on the future of local government in Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Inter-Departmental Working Party which is working on this has prepared first drafts of alternative models for reorganisation which it is at present discussing with informal advisers drawn from the local government world. When the Working Party has completed its consultations and reported to me, I shall have further consultations with the local authority associations and will set out my proposals in a White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give an account of the effect of recent Government decisions on the state of the road programme in Wales and Mon mouthshire.

The deferment measures announced last year will result in a reduction in Exchequer expenditure of about £200,000 in the current financial year and £400,000 in 1966–67. These reductions are small in relation to the total expenditure of nearly £23 million in the two years.

Is the Secretary of State aware that the cutting down of the road programme in Wales is regarded very seriously by those who have the interests of the Principality at heart? We have noticed the predisposition of the Minister of Transport for the United Kingdom to make increases in the road programmes where by-elections are going on. Is it necessary to have by-elections in Wales in order to achieve this end?

Elections seem to take care of themselves in Wales. The fact is that the proportionate reduction in Wales was very much smaller because, following their policy, the Government announced that the cuts would not apply to development areas—and large portions of the Principality are development areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many rent officers have been appointed in Wales under the Rent Act 1965; and if he will make a statement.

Twenty-two rent officers have been appointed and one vacancy remains to be filled. Nine of the twenty-three appointments will be part-time. My right hon. Friend intends to bring Part II of the Rent Act, 1965, into operation in Wales on 14th March, 1966.

My hon. Friend's reply shows great progress, but is he aware that unscrupulous landlords are seeking, quite illegally and outside the scope of the Rent Act, to impose increases on tenants? Will he finally ensure that every possible method of bringing home to the tenant his full rights under the Act is made available to him?

I assure my hon. Friend that when the Rent Act comes into operation it will remove some of the anomalies and injustices existing at present. A booklet has been issued to explain the Act, and this will be known to the people of Wales as elsewhere in the country.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on the repair to the slip on the trunk road at Resolven.

It is expected to open the road to traffic in about a month's time.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that constituents of mine who have a great deal of apprehension about the continued use of this road by very heavy traffic will welcome the reply?

May I urge my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State to ask the road authorities to keep a close watch on the wear and tear of diversionary roads used as a consequence of closing main roads in order that the pot-holes may be filled up rapidly, for these can be a constant danger?

Yes, Sir. I will draw the attention of the road engineers to that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made with the amalgamation of water undertakings in Wales.

When the first circular on regrouping was issued in 1956, the number of water undertakings in Wales was 146. By 1st April next they will have been reduced to 57.

Is my hon. Friend aware that, paradoxically enough, water is a burning question and that his reply will give great satisfaction in the Principality?

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received the Council for Wales' Report on the Arts in Wales; and when he will publish it.

Yes, Sir; and my right hon. Friend is arranging for it to be published next month.

I thank my hon. Friend for the decision to publish the Report, which we look forward to reading. Can he say whether it includes recommendations to encourage local drama and music societies in the Principality?

I cannot anticipate publication of the Report, but I think it is generally known that the inquiry extended to the need to encourage in every way local and regional artistic and cultural activity. I think that my hon. Friend's point is well taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many dwellings are likely to be built this year in Wales; and what the housing programme is likely to be in the next five years.

Over 20,000 this year, and it is intended to increase this steadily to about 22,500 a year by 1970.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Government's policy of procuring a shortage of houses and a surplus of bricks at the same time in Wales is causing some concern?

Whatever concern the right hon. Gentleman may feel, the fact is that the housing position has improved in Wales during the period of office of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when constructional works on the Llandudno Junction flyover will commence; and when the scheme will be completed.

I hope to let the contract in April and the work should be completed early in 1968.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. Is he aware that I shall reserve further questioning on this matter until we find out whether the promise contained in his reply materialises?

I appreciate the right hon. and learned Gentleman's reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what efforts he is making to meet the demand for specialised teaching aids for immigrant schoolchildren.

The provision of teaching aids is primarily a matter for local education authorities. Circular 7/65 called attention to the need for increased provision of books and equipment for immigrant children, and the Department is doing what it can to encourage the production of suitable material.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in parts of the country where there is considerable concentration of non-English-speaking children teachers have produced special reading texts and other aids which are proving of immense value? Will he consider making the facilities of his Department available for the convening of teachers' conferences or using the services of the inspectorate to ensure that knowledge of these aids can be more widely disseminated?

Both these courses of action are much in our minds. The Schools Council is doing a preliminary investigation into the question of aids in the teaching of immigrants, and we are very anxious to further this work.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allowance he makes for regional differences in building costs when allocating capital sums for the School-building programme.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister of State aware that the ability of authorities to get the necessary work done in the building of schools is affected considerably by the cost of each building? Will he look at this again, particularly at the suggestion he made in correspondence with me—that the South-East is not a high-cost building area? Is he further aware that that statement was viewed with amazement by people in the area?

Local variations in cost limits would not only be difficult to calculate, because evaluation of the factors making for high or low costs would be complicated and open to question, but would run into practical difficulties, as areas where quotations are high are usually local pockets within a local authority area. I am afraid that, on investigation, we have not found the hon. Gentleman's suggestion a practicable one to follow.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what sum he proposes to make available in 1967–68 for major School-building works in Kent.

My right hon. Friend has made £1,479,000 available for the first part of 1967–68. He will decide the rest of the year's programme when he has considered the authority's proposals, which he will be inviting shortly.

When looking at the second half of his proposals, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the very big problems facing local authorities where there has been a substantial influx of population? In particular, will he consider how difficult it is for authorities like Kent to catch up with the problems of improving existing school buildings as well as building new?

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that he and other hon. Members, as well as the Kent Education Authority, have made representations about Kent in this respect. I can only repeat what my right hon. Friend has already said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Sir J. Rodgers) on 10th February—that those representations will be borne in mind when my right hon. Friend considers the next round of the building programme.

Would my hon. Friend say whether his right hon. Friend is to give any priority to authorities which have submitted schemes in accordance with Circular 10/65?

The contents of Circular 10/65, to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention, make it clear that in present circumstances no special provision can be made solely on the ground of going comprehensive.

Has not the Secretary of State stated explicitly in the House that where there is already a sufficiency of secondary accommodation, from the point of view of numbers, comprehensive proposals are not to have priority over primary school improvements?

That is the implication of what I have just said by reference to the Circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local education authorities so far have requested an extension of time in which to submit their proposals for the reorganisation of secondary education in response to Circular 10/65; and what answers he has given.

Requests have so far been received from twelve local education authorities. In six cases (Lincolnshire (Kesteven), Dudley, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton and Walsall) limited extensions have been agreed. All these authorities are involved in the reorganisation of boundaries. Five authorities (Burton-on-Trent, Bromley, Kent, Norfolk and Shropshire) have been asked to press ahead as quickly as they can and to re-apply for an extension nearer the final date if they are then still in difficulty. The request of the remaining authority (Oxfordshire) is being considered.

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that if local education authorities feel unable to make any useful plan until more is known about the age of transfer in future after Plowden has reported and, for that matter, until more is known about the future building programmes and the future reorganisation of local government itself, they are under no obligation to submit a proposal by July and that, strictly speaking, although they may request an extension, they need not do so?

The considerations to which the hon. Gentleman has drawn attention would not of themselves justify an application for an extension, but my right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider representations from any authority which for exceptional reasons finds itself unable to meet the target date.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the reorganisation of secondary education in 1944 was carried out by legislation? While it is preferable to proceed by agreement in this case where-ever possible, will he make it clear that he will not hesitate to introduce legislation if the negative and obstructionist tactics of some Tory-dominated education authorities make it necessary?

The view of Her Majesty's Government is that this is an urgent reform which should be undertaken at the earliest possible time. It is our belief that the great majority of local education authorities share this view, and we hope, from their response to date, that persuasion will suffice to achieve the purpose.

Returning to my hon. Friend's very well phrased supplementary question, is it not clear that as the law stands at present there is no power to compel an authority to send a particular reply to this circular or to comply with it? Whatever our views of the merits of the question, is it not very important that the present legal position of the Ministry and of the local authorities should be made quite plain?

I am sure that local authorities would not defy what has been the normal tradition of observing circulars on Government policy and requests made to them to conform to that policy. Nevertheless, it is true that there is no absolute statutory power to enforce some part of that circular, except in so far as an application is required under Section 13.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to the desirability of having a single school-leaving date each year.

The reason for the adoption in 1962 of two leaving dates rather than one are in my view still valid.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that to move on from the advantages shown by having two leaving dates to only one in a year would greatly assist the efficient running of the schools, particularly when the school-leaving age comes to be raised? Therefore, would he not consult his colleague the Minister of Labour and such bodies as the Youth Employment Service at least to have an up-to-date feasibility study for having a single school-leaving date in future?

The hon. Gentleman will recognise that the reduction of the number of leaving dates from three to two in the Education Act, 1962, represented a compromise as between education and employment considerations. It is perfectly true that education authorities were unanimously in favour of one common leaving date, but this was found not to be acceptable to employers. A single leaving date would undoubtedly create difficulties about finding employment for school leavers, especially those most in need of help. Industry would be faced with absorbing the whole year's intake at one time and, as at present advised, I am afraid that this appears to be a substantial difficulty.

While the interests of the schools may be important, are not the interests of the pupils more important?

That is true, but one must also have regard to their interests as school leavers and being placed in employment with the utmost expedition.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the public expenditure on new schools in Yorkshire and Humberside for 1964–65; and what percentage this represents of the total for the United Kingdom.

Figures for the total expenditure on new schools are not available. The value of building work carried out on major schools projects in the region was £9·2 million, which represents 12·6 per cent. of the total for England and Wales.

Does my hon. Friend think that that total is sufficient in view of the backlog of inadequate school buildings which now exists in the West Riding of Yorkshire, where in the Colne Valley, for example, more than three-quarters of the primary schools were built in the nineteenth century and more than half are dependent on an outside lavatory, and where one school had to be evacuated a week ago because rocks fell from an overhanging cliff in to the playground?

Unhappily, there is a legacy of neglect in respect of school buildings all over the country, which the Government are seeking to overcome as rapidly as may be, but regard has to be paid to the most urgent and pressing demands in assessing the requirements.

In view of what the hon. Gentleman has just said, is it not a fact that the previous Government approved approximately £2 million worth of school improvements in the West Riding compared with the present Government's intention to spend no more money on school improvements, except for projects needed for the raising of the school-leaving age?

The right hon. Gentleman should await events. The future programme is not yet determined.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will now take action to implement the proposals in the Goodman Re port on London orchestras.

The Arts Council and the Greater London Council have now set up the London Orchestral Concert Board to carry out the functions recommended by the Goodman Committee. They will jointly be making available to the Board such funds as are required for the subsidising of concerts approved by the Board and for the payment of annual grants to the four orchestras. The initial grant to each of the orchestras will be £30,000 a year.

I thank the hon. Lady for that most encouraging reply. Is she aware that music lovers throughout Britain, including my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition and my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Handsworth (Sir E. Boyle), will be most grateful to her for this? Will she allow me to say that it is clear now that her beauty is matched only by her generosity?

Answer.

We have a crude saying in Scotland—"The proof of the pudding is the eating of it"—and the beauty of these proposals rests with the entire Government. It is not a matter of individual caprice.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the cost of the rate payments met by the Exchequer, through the University Grants Committee, in respect of each of the universities and university institutions listed in the First Schedule to the Rating and Valuation Act, 1961, for each complete financial year since the Act came into force.

Exchequer grants in respect of rate payments by these institutions totalled about £2·4 million in 1963–64 and £2·6 million in 1964–65. With permission, I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. Can he tell me whether the figures which he has quoted and is circulating cover the total rate liability of these institutions or only the increased rate liability which has arisen since the 1961 Act?

The figures give the rate payments met from Exchequer funds in 1963–64, 1964–65, as asked in the Question.

Taylor asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is aware that the heads of Manchester's comprehensive schools will be appointed from people who believe in the system; what is his policy on this situation; and what steps he intends to take.

No, Sir. The Manchester Authority has recently stated that it will follow normal practice in making appointments to new comprehensive schools.

Is the Minister not aware that in my constituency two or three weeks ago the Chairman of the Manchester Education Committee stated quite categorically that headmasters' positions in comprehensive schools would be given to those who are in favour of the system? This was reported in the Daily Telegraph of 15th February and the statement was reiterated after a further interview with the head of the Education Department. Will the Minister say whether he and the Government approve of this?

I am aware that certain views have been attributed to the Chairman of the Education Committee, but the statement by the authority is quite clear that the factors to be taken into account are the candidate's qualifications, experience and personal and professional suitability for the post in question. In response to the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I would say that discriminatory action against teachers because of their views on educational matters would be, to our mind, intolerable. I am confident that we can rely on the good sense and fairness of the authorities in making appointments to schools of all kinds.

While the hon. Gentleman's Answer will give some relief, would he not agree that it is of high importance that education committee chairmen, and others, should exercise restraint in public debate on this sort of issue in view of the very great importance of attracting more graduates to secondary schools? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a graduate, uncertain whether to go to this authority or to some other, might well be deterred by some of the remarks attributed to the chairman of this education committee?

I am sure that the answers I have already given will be noted in all appropriate quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that no instruction in contraceptive methods is given to students at medical schools and that students are, in the main, left to pick up what information they can in order to meet the needs of their patients; and whether he will take steps to ensure that medical schools give students specific instruction in this matter.

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on this topic on 13th December last.

In view of the importance of this subject, why is it that the hon. Gentleman refuses to take any action? Is he telling the House that he is going to pay out these very large sums of money yet have no control whatever over the efficiency of the instruction?

No, it does not go as far as that. The position regarding these schools was laid down in the Medical Act of 1956, introduced by hon. Members opposite, with the support of all parties. It laid a general responsibility on the General Medical Council for the standards of those entering the profession and left it to the universities to decide matters of curriculum. The universities obviously bear in mind the standards laid down by the G.M.C. This system does not allow Ministers of the Crown to tell the universities what should be in the curriculum of each medical school.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children classified as immigrant are in the total school population.

This information is not at present available, but statistics are now being collected and results will be available later in the year.

Is it not true that the statistics now being collected from the schools include statistics of children who are not immigrants, but born in this country? Would he tell the House the reason for this?

We have on many occasions endeavoured, in reply to Questions of my hon. Friend, to define what an immigrant is for educational purposes. I cannot go into all of that again. The statistics being collected in respect of January of this year relate to immigrants as previously defined.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of pupils remained at school beyond the statutory leaving age in maintained schools in the Yorkshire East and West Ridings in 1963 and 1964; and what were the comparable figures for the metropolitan, southern and south-eastern regions.

34 per cent. and 31 per cent. in 1963 and 1964, respectively.

Is the Minister aware that his Answer will be read in Yorkshire with the gravest disquiet? Will he say what proposals he has for redressing this situation?

I am sure that the local education authorities concerned in the region to which my hon. Friend has referred have an equal concern, and my Department will be glad to know what proposals they have to meet the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware that his restrictions are preventing the establishment of a nursery class at Hotham School, Putney, and that the absence of such a class is preventing the return of a number of married women to teaching; and whether he will lift these restrictions.

My right hon. Friend has not received any representations about establishing a nursery class at this school. It is our policy to encourage the establishment of nursery classes where suitable accommodation exists, and where this would enable married women to return to teaching. The Department is discussing with the Inner London Education Authority in what way it may be possible to expand their nursery schools provision for this purpose.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this reply will be received with great interest, and I am pretty sure that an application will be before him soon at which I hope he will look with favour?

Any proposals will most certainly be carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the estimated national percentage increase in the costs of education between 1960 and 1966; to what extent Government grants have been calculated to meet this increase; and if he will make a statement on his proposals for relieving ratepayers of their increasing share of the costs.

Total education expenditure in England and Wales, excluding that on school meals and milk, is expected to go up by approximately 92 per cent. between 1960 and 1966; the greater part of this expenditure is incurred by local authorities, whose assistance from the Government is received mainly through the general grant which has been adjusted, under the Local Government Act, 1958, to take account both of developments of the education service and rising costs; expenditure on the education service has been taken into account in the Government's examination of local government finance and they are about to announce their conclusions.

Would the Minister not agree that at this stage the present rate system which supports a considerable share of this increasing expenditure is regressive and in need of urgent re-examination? Following up what he has said about his statement, would he call for an interim report from the unit—

Order. Questions are getting too long. I think that that is enough to answer.

My hon. Friend must not misunderstand me. It is not my statement but the Government's announcement which is imminent. I would ask him to await that announcement, when I think that his Question will be satisfactorily answered.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will review the basis on which his Department grants aid to residential adult education colleges, with a view to bringing the proportion of grant they receive from public funds into line with that offered to other comparable institutions in the field of higher and further education.

The five residential adult education colleges aided by the Department are unique, and the arrangements for grant reflect their circumstances. If these change, and the colleges wish to review the grant arrangements, my right hon. Friend will consider any representations they make.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him to consider the rather low grant arrangements for these colleges in view of their importance to a large section of the community which has not had the chance to take advantage of the opportunities now available to a younger generation in higher and further education?

It is difficult to make exact comparisons between these colleges and their circumstances and other parts of the further and higher education system. My right hon. Friend has not had any representations from the Committee representing the five colleges. He would, of course, consider any such representations.

Is the Minister aware that these colleges are about to be considerably enlarged through building programmes that have been approved? May I ask him to bear this point very much in mind, because in these circumstances there might be a strong case for looking at the provisions of the 1962 Act which applies to them?

To some limited extent this point is being met in relation to the new building programme. The Exchequer is meeting 50 per cent. of the cost of the new programmes. Normally 40 per cent. of normal maintenance costs and so on are met.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has for improving the school meals service.

I refer my hon. Friend to the Department's Circular 3/66 to local education authorities and to the Report of the Working Party on the Nutritional Standard of the School Dinner published on the 26th January, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.

I thank my hon. Friend. I have seen that circular. Would he accept that there are two main problems: first, too much stodge and therefore too many overweight schoolchildren, and, secondly, too many old, ill-equipped school kitchens left as a legacy by the previous Government? Will my hon. Friend therefore take steps to provide enough money to improve the situation and make sure that school cooks take refresher courses to improve their standards?

I am sure that mature consideration of the Report to which I have referred will lead to an easement of the problems about which my hon. Friend has spoken. If she has studied that document, she will realise that the objective in following its recommendations is to increase the variety and nutritional value of school meals.

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that, if he has sampled school meals, as I have, they are astonishingly good value and that he would do better to consider charging rather more—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—since he told me last week that an extra 3d. would result in no falling off of consumption and would provide him with £8½ million which would enable him to restore the whole of the mini-minor programme and other building cuts, much to the relief of the schools, teachers and delighted parents?

Order. Supplementary questions are getting too long.

I am sure that the country will be glad to note the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the North-West Regional Economic Planning Council concerning financial assistance and national status for art galleries in the region; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

I have received a letter from the Economic Planning Council for the North-West Region which refers to the prospects of financial assistance from the Government for the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, as well as to other matters affecting the Arts in the North-West. The Walker Gallery, like all other Regional and Municipal Galleries, does not qualify for an Arts Council grant and is not in receipt of direct exchequer assistance. I have this whole field now under review, as I am concerned to ensure a fair distribution of public funds between London and regional activities in the promotion of the Arts generally.

I thank my hon. Friend for her reply. Would she agree that the Board's letter should have followed consultations with all the art galleries concerned, including Manchester? This appears not to have been done and has excited very strong feeling. Can she say anything about helping the arts more generally, for example, the Hallé Orchestra, in the Manchester area?

I cannot add to what I have said, that I am most concerned that there should be fair play between the regions and London and that this whole matter is now under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on future financial support for the arts.

The Vote on Account which was published yesterday shows that the proposed figure for the Vote "The Arts Council and other grants for the Arts" is £6,070,000. The total of grants for museums and galleries is £5,845,000.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the figures and statements which have appeared in the Press have been received with a great deal of enthusiasm? Can she say whether the provinces will receive a fair share of the distribution?

Most certainly. In this first year we have been most anxious to make quite clear that there is no reduction in our artistic standards. Our national institutions are being sustained to the best of our ability. But we are well aware that in many parts of the country there is considerable regional feeling that more attention should be paid to their needs.

While welcoming what the hon. Lady has said, may I ask her whether she will try to publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT as much information as she can about allocations? Can she tell us what her proposals are for the South Bank opera site and whether the sum suggested by the Publishers' Association is included in the overall figure?

Perhaps it would be more helpful to wait until the Greater London Council has announced its decision in regard to the South Bank opera site. The Government are firmly committed to fifty-fifty support for the National Theatre, but the problem of whether an opera house should be added rests with the G.L.C.

How much of this new money will find its way into new theatre building in the provinces? How much of it will go to museums, particularly the museum of British Transport?

The sum set aside for building for the arts is being doubled. It was £250,000 last year. It will be £500,000 next year. Of course, we will ensure that there is fair play. The question of the Museum of British Transport does not rest with me. The hon. Gentleman should address his question on that matter to the appropriate Minister.