§ 75. Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the proposed grant to assist the production of grand opera, he also proposes to consider a grant for the production of Shakespearean and other classical British plays?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 2nd December to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto).
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMCan the right hon. Gentleman explain why he makes a distinction between these two objects
§ Mr. SNOWDENA reply to that question was given in the answer to which I have referred the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think a home-grown Shakespeare is better than a foreign import?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThat may apply to some Shakespeares, but certainly not to all Shakespeares.
§ 79. Mr. LLEWELLYN-JONESasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the work which the National Eisteddfod of Wales has done, and is doing, for the musical education of the principality and for providing Wales with high-class music, he will favourably consider the question of making an annual grant to the National Eisteddfod on similar lines to the grant which he has promised to make for the encouragement of grand opera in England?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI am afraid that the hon. Member's suggestion is one that I could not entertain.
§ Mr. LLEWELLYN-JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Eisteddfod is a great Welsh national institution for the cultivation of music and is mainly supported by the workers of Wales, mining workers, and does he not think that it is more entitled to recognition than grand opera, which is largely of foreign origin?