HC Deb 15 March 1932 vol 263 cc176-7
38. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Postmaster-General the terms of the agreement between the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate (1930), Limited, and the British Broadcasting Corporation; and, in view of the subsidy paid by the Government to the British Broadcasting Corporation, whether the agreement was submitted to him for ratification?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)

The agreement of the 27th November, 1930, between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate (1930), provides that the corporation shall pay the syndicate £25,000 a year from the 1st January, 1931, and, in addition, £5,000 for the last quarter of 1930. The agreement runs to the end of 1935 unless determined by either party at the end of 1932. The syndicate undertakes to give a number of opera performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and at other theatres, which shall be available for broadcasting. The agreement was submitted in draft to the Treasury and the Post Office before it was executed.

Mr. HOPKIN MORRIS

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an answer to the question that is on the Paper, that is to say, the agreement between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Covent Garden Opera Company?

Sir K. WOOD

I have given the agreement asked for, between the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate (1930) and the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Mr. MORRIS

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that the payment by the Postmaster-General of a subsidy to the British Broadcasting Corporation is dependent upon the fact, under the agreement, that a similar payment has to be made by the British Broadcasting Corporation for the purpose of subsidising opera in the country?

Sir K. WOOD

That is another matter. Perhaps the hon. Member had better put that question to me.

39. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Postmaster-General the total sum paid to date to the British Broadcasting Corporation by his Department for the purpose of subsidising grand opera?

Sir K. WOOD

The total amount paid up to the present is £26,875.

Mr. LEONARD

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the respective amounts paid for performances in London and in the provinces?

Sir K. WOOD

No, Sir; I have not that information.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

Is not this a waste of money?

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