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Welsh secretary Alun Michael has turned down appeals to intervene in the bitter dispute between the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh theatre industry, which could result in ten leading companies going to the wall. Michael had been urged to act by 15 MPs who signed an early day motion in the House of Commons, filed by the Labour MP for Swansea West, Alan Williams, accusing the Arts Council of pre-empting policy decisions that should rightly be made by the new Welsh Assembly. In its draft drama strategy, the Arts Council has proposed far-reaching reforms which have met a loud chorus of disapproval from within the country. More anger was created by the decision to allow for a consultation period of just five weeks, enabling a final decision to be hurried through before elections to the Assembly. Although Michael has made no formal comment, The Stage understands from sources close to the Welsh Office that he has no plans to abandon the 'arm's length principle' which traditionally keeps politicians out of arts administration. |
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Friday, March 19, 1999 |
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