§ 57. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the rent of Covent Garden Opera House is to remain as at present throughout the period of the proposed Government grant; and, if not, what the rent is now and what increase is to be made in it?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Lees-Smith)I have been asked to reply to this question. Up to 31st December, 1932, the new Opera Company will acquire the benefit of the existing lease of the Covent Garden Opera House held by the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate Limited and at the present rent; and the agreement between the Company and the British Broadcasting Corporation may be terminated at 31st December, 1932, at the option of either party.
§ Mr. LEWISCan the hon. Gentleman tell us the present rent and what the additional rent is going to be when the lease is changed?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI think the present rent is between £3,000 and £4,000 a year. The termination of the lease will not come until two years hence, and the agreement provides that the payment by the Government and the agreement with the British Broadcasting Corporation can be terminated at that time if the new arrangements are not satisfactory.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am explaining that, at the end of two years, a new rent will have to be arranged.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHIt is impossible to say now what will be the terms of the new lease. I have explained that, although the subsidy is for five years, it can, as the result of this possibility, be terminated by either side at the end of two years.
§ Sir WILLIAM MITCHELL-THOMSONWill the hon. Gentleman Jay a copy of the agreement between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Government?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHCertainly, that will be done.
§ 60. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the State proposes to give a subsidy to opera out of taxation, the money being derived from the proportion of revenue annexed by the Treasury from broadcasting licences, he will consider the reduction of the amount of such licences since money, not needed for the purposes of broadcasting, is applied to purposes to which many subscribers object owing to the economic depression in the country?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI feel sure that the general body of listeners would prefer the opportunities which they will obtain of hearing grand opera to an equivalent reduction in the licence fee, which would amount to 1¼. per annum.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs it correct to accept money from licence-holders and spend it on other subjects to which they have not given their consent in the first place?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThat, in fact, is not being done.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEDoes the hon. Gentleman realise the very great opposition that there is to this proposal in the country?