GRAND OPERA (GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY). (Hansard, 2 May 1932)

§ 29. Mr. LEWIS
asked the Postmaster-General the amount paid to the British Broadcasting Corporation to date by way of opera subsidy under the agreement laid before Parliament in 1931; and has he received any assurances from the British Broadcasting Corporation as to the use to which the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate has put this subsidy?

§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)
The amount paid to the British Broadcasting Corporation to date is £31,250, namely, £5,000 for the last quarter of 1930, £17,500 in 1931, and £8,750 to date this year. As regards the second part of the question, the British Broadcasting Corporation assures me that this amount has been expended in strict accordance with the terms of the agreement referred to, and that no part of this sum has been used for paying off losses incurred by the Covent Garden Opera Syndicate before the subsidy was granted.

§ Mr. LEWIS
While thanking the Minister for the assurance, which, of course, I entirely accept, may I ask if he can give the House a further assurance that no part of this subsidy will in future be used for the purpose of making good losses that were incurred before the subsidy was originally granted?

§ Sir K. WOOD
I cannot contemplate that possibility, but I am sure that my hon. Friend can rely on the British Broad casting Corporation strictly carrying out the terms of the agreement, and to see that the opera subsidy is not used in the manner suggested.

§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE
Has the Minister power to stop this subsidy?

§ Sir K. WOOD
No, Sir. The agreement in this respect was laid before Parliament.

§ Captain HAROLD BALFOUR
Can the Minister say whether the accountants or other officials of the Post Office have access to the books of the British Broad casting Corporation?

§ Sir K. WOOD
I must have notice of that question.

§ Mr. MORGAN JONES
Is there any ground for supposing that the British Broadcasting Corporation has been in any way using this money improperly?

§ Sir K. WOOD
Not that I am aware of.

§ Mr. WILLIAM HUTCHISON
Is there any chance of this subsidy being extended to such places as the Old Vic and Sadler's Wells?

§ Sir K. WOOD
Only by an amendment of the agreement which has already been agreed to by the House.