asked the Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the arts, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Freud), Official Report, 27 June, c. 343, if he will list the present policies of support for the theatre.

Government support is given through the Arts Council. A one-off grant has also been made to the theatre investment fund.

Does my hon. Friend accept that all who enjoy the theatre and make use of it are grateful to the Government for their help? Is he aware of the expense of theatre tickets and the burden of VAT on the theatre? Will my hon. Friend make a strong attempt to persuade the Chancellor to do something about that?

Over the years many people have argued for that objective. There is European pressure to take into account. Anyone going to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor to argue the case for a diminution in the tax base now will have a difficult task.

Why does my hon. Friend refer to a one-off grant in relation to the theatre investment fund? Is this not the second time that such a grant has been made, and is it not an admirable way to help the theatre?

I used the words "one-off" because no commitment was made to make regular payments. A case for an additional one-off payment could be made from time to time.