§ 20. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Postmaster-General what is the position with regard to the subsidy to grand opera under the proposals for national economy?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)A subsidy of £17,500 per annum for the purpose of grand opera is provided for in a supplementary agreement with the British Broadcasting Corporation, which was laid before Parliament on 11th June, and the necessary funds were included in the Appropriation Act which received the Royal Assent in July. It is not proposed to disturb this arrangement, but the Corporation has undertaken to surrender temporarily as a contribution to the national emergency a much larger sum from their annual receipts from public funds, and I hope to be able to announce the details in the course of a few days.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that the British Broadcasting Corporation is to be subject, apparently, to a heavy cut, and that this part is sacrosanct?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWhat is or is not included in the British Broadcasting Corporation programme either now or subsequently, after their surrender of a portion of their revenue, is entirely a matter for them and not for me.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYBut does not the Grand Opera Syndicate get this money, which is our money?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIf the hon. Member puts that point, I will ascertain whether it is in order, but I do not think it is. It is entirely a matter between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Grand Opera Syndicate.
§ Mr. McKINLAYIs there any guarantee that the money so granted will not be used for the purposes of boosting longhaired foreign artistes? I want a guarantee that the foreign voice production expert will not exploit British nationals who are able to take their part in opera.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is not within my competence to discriminate between long-haired and short-haired performers. It is not within the control of my Department.
§ Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONCannot we reduce this subsidy?