HC Deb 11 February 1960 vol 617 c654
45. Mr. Jeger

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he has sent to the request from the Arts Council for an increased grant for the purpose of sending opera tours into the provinces.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Sir Edward Boyle)

It is for the Council to decide how to spend the total amount of its grant. As regards the size of next year's grant, I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the publication of the 1960–61 Estimates.

Mr. Jeger

Has the Minister received such a request to advance opera in the provinces, and is he giving it sympathetic consideration?

Sir E. Boyle

As regards the total of the grant, we have now settled this. I cannot, naturally, reveal correspondence, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is now settled. It is, of course, Government policy to leave the Arts Council an entirely free hand in the distribution of its grant.