HC Deb 11 April 1932 vol 264 cc545-6
37. Mr. LEWIS

asked the Postmaster-General if he will cause a committee of inquiry to be set up to inquire into the subsidy now being paid to the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate, and to advise as to whether in future years any subsidy for opera should be paid; and, if so, to whom it should be paid?

Sir K. WOOD

The agreement between the Postmaster-General and the British Broadcasting Corporation, which provides for the payment of the opera subsidy, and which was laid before Parliament in June, 1931, was for a term of years as therein provided, and an inquiry at the present time, such as my hon. Friend suggests, would not appear to be of any practical advantage.

Mr. LEWIS

Is the Postmaster-General aware that the subsidy is being used, not for the presentation of fresh operas, but for paying off losses incurred by the syndicate before the subsidy was granted?

Sir K. WOOD

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

40. Mr. CLARKE

asked the Postmaster-General if he has yet received a reply from the British Broadcasting Corporation to his communication on the subject of the suggested curtailment by the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate of the programme of opera performances?

Sir K. WOOD

I understand that a season of four weeks Wagnerian Opera will be given by the Grand Opera Syndicate at Covent Garden from Monday, 9th May, to Friday, 3rd June, inclusive.