Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Labour). It was answered on Thursday, 3 December 2009.

Cultural and Creative Arts

Question: My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his gracious withdrawal. Does the Minister agree with me that a lot of the energy, diversity and, indeed, success of the cultural and creative industries over the past decade has been due, at least in part, to a consistent and growing level of investment from government in the core elements of those industries? Does he also agree, going back to the point about technical skills, that the creative industries need those skills just as much as many other industries do, and that one of the helpful things that government could do in encouraging people to think about investing their time and energy in developing technical skills is to point out that they can be deployed very effectively in the area of culture and creativity?

Answer: My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. The latter point is valid, which is why I emphasised it in one of my earlier answers with regard to apprenticeships. There is no doubt that the creative industries need that skill level to support the more creative aspects that artists, film directors and so on recognise a great deal more. We all recognise that these are straitened times as far as government investment is concerned, but the record over the past decade is quite unparalleled. The Government are committed to this sector for its value in enhancing the life of the nation and its significant contribution to the economy.

Secondary information