Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Maria Miller and Michael Connarty

Thursday 20th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I am not doing what the hon. Gentleman is doing in supporting a council such as Newcastle, which wanted to cut its arts budget by 100%. I hope, given his question, that he now realises that that was a big mistake. I am glad that the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) intervened and overruled the decision that he had made. I could give him many examples of the work that we are doing to support the regions in this way, and I draw his attention in particular to our comments yesterday on the Arts Council, which is investing £174.5 million this year in national portfolio organisations outside London. It is of course the Arts Council that has the role of supporting regional culture and arts, and I think it is doing a good job.

[Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab)]

9. What recent discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Scottish Government on the development of swimming in the UK.