§ MR. W. F. D. SMITH (Strand, Westminster)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been requested to grant an annual subsidy towards the 436 permanent establishment of a National Repertory Theatre, provided a proportion of the funds required is guaranteed by the members of the public interested in its establishment; and, if so, can he state the answer which he gave to that request.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) Yes, Sir, I have been requested to lay before His Majesty's Government a proposal to grant an annual subsidy of £10,000 towards the permanent establishment of a National Repertory Theatre in the West End of London. I have replied that I am unable to recommend such a grant from public funds.