HC Deb 15 March 1956 vol 550 c546
36. Mr. G. R. Strauss

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds he has turned down the application of the governors of the Opera School for an annual grant of £1,500.

Mr. H. Brooke

This school gives specialised professional training and my right hon. Friend considers that its training is best judged, and if necessary supported, by the opera companies who may benefit from it. He has in mind the large financial support already given by the Government to opera companies in this country.

Mr. Strauss

Is there any difference between a school which specialises in musical training for opera and the other schools which deal with musical training in general? Surely this is a very important branch of musical training and, logically, there can be no ground for saying that one type of school shall have a grant whereas another type of school shall have no grant at all. This is a good and important school. Will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his refusal in the case of this school?

Mr. Brooke

I think there is a difference. Grants to the musical colleges are given to the four old-established Royal Colleges. The Opera School was founded about eight years ago. I understand that is trains about twenty-five or thirty students entirely for opera. In view of the very substantial Government aid given to the opera companies, it appears to my right hon. Friend that any assistance to the Opera School should come from that quarter.

Mr. Rankin

Does any of the money go to Scottish musical colleges?

Mr. Brooke

The Royal Scottish Academy of Music receives grants according to the normal Goschen formula.