§ 45. Mr. BOYCEasked the Prime Minister, with regard to the proposed subsidy to the Covent Garden Opera 871 Syndicate, whether he will state the name of the operatic undertaking from which, prior to 20th November last, representations had been received by him asking to share in the Government's receipts from wireless licence-holders; and what was the nature of his reply?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question of an opera subsidy has been for some time the subject of many informal conversations and inquiries, but no representations from any operatic undertaking have been officially submitted to me; the second part of the question therefore does Dot arise.
§ Mr. BOYCEWhy did the right hon. Gentleman ignore the claims of the Old Vic and the Carl Rosa Opera Company, both of which were already giving opera in English at the time; and also the claims of the Imperial League of Opera with its 43,000 subscribers of all classes?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can only refer the hon. Member to the answers which have been given on previous occasions by the Ministers responsible.
§ Mr. BOYCEDoes the right hon. Gentleman say that he did not receive representations from the Old Vic and the Carl Rosa Opera Company?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have answered that question.