HC Deb 02 November 1954 vol 532 c182
2. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Works the average annual cost of maintaining the Covent Garden Opera House in good condition under his lease; and the period of the lease.

Mr. Birch

My Department holds the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on a 42-year lease from 1949, and sublets it to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Limited, which has undertaken all liabilities, including maintenance.

Miss Ward

Is my hon. Friend aware that the maintenance charges come out of the subsidy that goes to the Arts Council? Why does his Department, holding the lease for 42 years, not bear the maintenance charges on its own Vote and reduce the amount of money available to the Arts Council for cultural work?

Mr. Birch

The money will come out of the Government's pockets anyway, and I think it is better that it should be seen which pocket it comes out of.