§ MR. W. F. D. SMITH (Strand, Westminster)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has been requested to grant an annual subsidy towards the permanent establishment of a national repertory theatre, in connection with a scheme suggested by Mr. Walter Stephens; and, if so, can he state the answer given to the request.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.My reply to the representations made to me by Mr. Stephens on this subject was that, regard being had to the large number of objects of much more pressing national importance for which funds are required, the Government would not, in my opinion, be justified in asking Parliament to sub-sidise such a scheme.