§ 33. Mr. COCKSasked the Postmaster-General whether he will lay upon the Table the terms of the agreement of 27th November, 1930, between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate, with respect to the provision of opera?
§ Sir K. WOODAs the Post Office is not a party to the agreement in question,, like my predecessors I do not think it necessary to lay it before Parliament.
§ Mr. COCKSSeeing that the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor said that he would explain the provisions of the agreement to the House, and that has not been done, would he not place a copy of the agreement in the Library?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman has not quoted my predecessor in office correctly. My predecessor said that if the occasion was fitting, if there 1799 was any debate, he would then be pleased to explain its provisions, and I shall be glad to do the same.
§ Sir K. WOODThere is no concealment in this matter. I agree with my predecessor; I think it is undesirable that the Post Office should begin to lay agreements to which it is not a party.
§ Mr. LEWISIf my right hon. Friend will not lay the agreement, will he consult the Law Officers of the Crown as to whether the British Broadcasting Corporation is acting entirely within the powers conferred upon it in its Charter, in all matters connected with this agreement?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir; I have no reason to think that that is not so. If my hon. Friend has any reason to think that I should act in the matter, and will give me any information, I will consider it.
§ 34. Mr. COCKSasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the continuance of the opera subsidy is dependent on the payment of certain sums of money to the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate by the British Broadcasting Corporation, he will state the total amount thus paid to the syndicate up to 2nd July, 1931?
§ Sir K. WOODUnder the arrangements made between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate, the Corporation undertook to pay £5,000 for the last quarter of 1930 and £25,000 a year from the 1st January, 1931, in instalments on specified dates. The amount payable up to the 2nd of July, 1931, was £19,500; and these payments have been made.
§ Mr. COCKSWere these payments made by the British Broadcasting Corporation to the Opera Syndicate before the money was voted by this House? Was the money used to pay off a mortgage and old losses?
§ Sir K. WOODI think that those questions have been answered, but, if the hon. Gentleman will put them on the Paper, I will look at them and see if I can give him any reply.
§ 35. Mr. COCKSasked the Postmaster-General what is the rent being paid under the lease of the Covent Garden opera house, held by the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate; and, in view of the fact that this lease terminates on 31st December, 1932, and that this involves the continuance of the subsidy, whether arrangements are being made for the renewal of the lease and at what rent?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Post Office is not a party to this lease, but I understand that no arrangements have yet been made for its renewal.
§ Mr. COCKSWhen the date comes, will the Government take an opportunity of approaching the British Broadcasting Corporation with the object of bringing this arrangement to an end, as I understand they can legally do at the end of the year?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. Under the agreement, if I remember aright, that is a matter for the British Broadcasting Corporation.
§ Mr. COCKSI think the right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood my question. I asked whether the Government would approach the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to taking action in that direction?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. When this agreement was before the House, the matter was left with the British Broadcasting Corporation, and, if there was any suggestion of the kind that the hon. Gentleman has now stated, he ought to have thought of it at the time.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have a Debate on the subject.