APPENDIX 56
Memorandum submitted by Equity
Following on from your conversation with Equity's
Councillor Miriam Karlin OBE, and Equity's Research and Parliamentary
Officer, Kelly Wiffen, I am writing to follow up your suggestion
that Equity attends Select Committee hearings as a witness in
the future.
Equity would certainly welcome the opportunity
to speak on those issues discussed by the Committee that are relevant
to our members. One current issue we would be keen to discuss
with the Committee is arts funding. As you are aware, the additional
£25 million awarded by the Arts Council of England last year
was, in part, intended to improve the terms, conditions and working
environment for performers. We are not convinced that this intention
has been implemented, and have been unable to get the Arts Council
to investigate until all the money has been distributed. We are
concerned therefore, that this money will continue to be allocated
to areas other then those that will benefit performers, and that
it will be impossible to rectify this situation when all the money
has been allocated. As you will no doubt appreciate, this is
an area of pressing concern and we would welcome the Committee's
investigation.
17 January 2002
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