HC Deb 15 March 1956 vol 550 cc545-6
35. Mr. G. R. Strauss

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what bodies he consults before allocating Treasury grants to certain musical colleges.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Henry Brooke)

None, Sir The colleges of music which receive grants-in-aid from the Treasury are the four Royal Colleges. Their reputation is undoubted, and their need for financial support is examined each year by the Treasury.

Mr. Strauss

In view of the fact that this particular school is of the highest standing and is accepted by all the opera companies and leading people in the opera world as quite invaluable, will he not consider making such a small grant as that for which the Governors asked—small by comparison with the £60,000 received by the other institutions? Will he not consider these applications on their merits?

Mr. Brooke

No school is referred to in the Question. If the right hon. Gentleman will give me an opportunity to answer Question No. 36, which he has on the Paper, I might then be able to deal with his supplementary question.