HC Deb 27 November 1930 vol 245 cc1485-7
48. Captain CAZALET

asked the Prime Minister if he can give the House any information as to when the supplementary Estimate in regard to the subsidy for opera will be taken?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

I am not yet in a position to say.

Captain CAZALET

Has any money yet been paid, and what Department will be responsible for this supplementary Estimate, in view of the fact that all the questions put down to the Treasury are transferred to the Post Office?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The Post Office is the Department responsible, and no money has been paid or will be paid until the House of Commons has sanctioned the agreement.

Sir AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Under what heading of the Postmaster-General's functions does the responsibility for subsidising opera come?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The agreement is between the Postmaster-General and the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the allocation of the receipts from broadcasting licences is laid down in the agreement with the Post Office and, I believe, in the Charter of the Corporation.

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

May I ask from what source the contribution of the Government will be drawn and on what Parliamentary Vote it will appear?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I am glad to have an opportunity of explaining, although in view of what took place last week I thought that the House was quite familiar with it. The Treasury gets a certain proportion of the receipts from licences, and it is proposed to reduce to the extent of £17,500 the amount that the Treasury now gets annually from these licences and to increase the grant to the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Imperial League of Opera has by voluntary contributions already raised a fund exceeding the subsidy proposed?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Are we to understand that a definitive agreement has already been entered into between the Broadcasting Corporation and the League of Grand Opera?

Mr. SNOWDEN

That has nothing to do with the matter we have been discussing.

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Do I understand that a reduction is to be made in the sum now contributed by the British Broadcasting Corporation to the Treasury?

Mr. SNOWDEN

The licence duties are not paid to the British Broadcasting Corporation. They are paid to the Post Office and a certain sum is handed over to the Exchequer and then the balance is handed over as a grant to the British Broadcasting Corporation and appears on the Post Office Vote.

Sir A. CHAMBERLAIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether—[Interruption]—the sum now deducted should continue to be de- ducted and that the contribution to opera from public funds should be voted as a specific charge?

Mr. SNOWDEN

There might be something to be said for that, but after very full consideration we have decided that this is perhaps the better way to do it.

Major OWEN

On a point of Order. Is it fair to other Members of this House who have questions on the Order Paper that one question should occupy all this time? I have a question on the Paper to-day which involves an important matter—[Interruption.] If this is the way—[Interruption.]

Mr. SPEAKER

I quite understand what the hon. and gallant Member is trying to ask. All questions must be, to a certain extent, dealt with on their merits. I cannot lay down any specific rule.

Major OWEN rose

—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member is not doing his best to reach his question.