§ 41. Lieut. - Colonel Sir VIVIAN HENDERSONasked the Postmaster-General whether, having regard to the need for national economies, he proposes to ask Parliament to discontinue next year voting a sum for opera subsidy?
§ Sir K. WOODAfter consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer I have decided that it would be desirable to suspend the opera subsidy for the year ending 31st December, 1933. I shall not, therefore, ask Parliament next year to make the contribution previously paid to the costs of the arrangements made between the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Covent Garden Syndicate for the production of grand opera. I have so informed the Corporation and at the same time I told them I hoped in the interests of British opera as well as 1432 of broadcasting they would render such further help and under such conditions as they might consider proper. I am glad to say the Corporation have agreed in view of the present national position to do this, and they are now in communication with the parties interested.