HC Deb 23 May 1950 vol 475 c1818
6. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for War what the ad ministration costs are of Combined Ser vices Entertainment; and to what extent British artists are being employed.

Mr. M. Stewart

These administrative costs, which do not involve any net charge on public funds, are estimated at £21,000 during the current financial year. In Germany about half of the artists employed are British. Elsewhere, they are all British.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Can my hon. Friend say why in Germany only 50 per cent. of the artists are British? Is he aware that there is some dissatisfaction in the profession that there is a small proportion of British artists employed in Germany?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, but there seems to be far more satisfaction among the audiences, who prefer that there should be a mixture of British and German shows. It must also be remembered that it is somewhat cheaper, and therefore possible to put on a greater number of shows, if some German artists are employed.