ARTS COUNCIL FUNDING FOR THE DRILL HALL

That this House is concerned by the proposal from Arts Council England that their funding for the Drill Hall in London is ended completely from April 2008; believes that the Drill Hall has been a beacon for lesbian and gay performance work and arts activities of the highest quality for 30 years, is a unique national asset and provides a vital resource to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as well as giving a voice to lesbian and gay arts in London and good value for the investment of public money; appreciates its programmes of work for schools and young people's organisations which in particular address homophobic bullying and sexuality issues; and calls on the regional council of Arts Council England not to proceed with the decision to withdraw funding and to decide to support the Drill Hall for the next three years.