HC Deb 30 March 1961 vol 637 cc1506-8
20. Mr. Jeger

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the dismay and disappointment caused by his decision about the National Theatre; and whether he will reconsider his decision.

Sir E. Boyle

No, Sir. The Government's decision was bound to cause disappointment in some quarters; but I believe there are many who have received it with favour.

Mr. Jeger

Will the hon. Gentleman give an instance of what person of any eminence in the artistic or theatrical world has received it with favour? Will he give an instance of any responsible newspaper which in its leading article has commended his right hon. and learned Friend for this decision? I ask him to recognise that there is general dismay over the whole country about this niggling and petty way of dealing with such a big question.

Sir E. Boyle

No. I think that the hon. Gentleman is exaggerating. I gave one instance of eminence a little while ago, namely, the right hon. Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss). The hon. Gentleman asked me about the Press. I think that the Birmingham Post can be considered a paper of some eminence.

Dr. King

Will the Financial Secretary have another look at this? Does he not realise that Britain, which produced the world's greatest dramatist, is about the only civilised country in the world which has not a National Theatre?

Sir E. Boyle

The Government have given a great deal of thought to this and I should be hopelessly misleading the House if I gave any impression that the Government were likely to go back on the main lines of their decision. I remind the House that my right hon. and learned Friend gave a quite clear indication that he thought that his own policy would involve somewhere between an extra £300,000 a year and an extra £450,000 a year for the theatre. I think that most people who have read my right hon. and learned Friend's statement and his answers to questions feel that the theatre can take a great deal of comfort from it.

Mr. K. Robinson

If, as seems probable, in default of any action by the Government the London County Council proceeds to build a National Theatre, will the Financial Secretary pledge the Government to provide the L.C.C. with the £1 million which was promised by the House in 1949 for this specific purpose?

Sir E. Boyle

No. I think that I should be extremely unwise to give a pledge of that kind in answer to the hon. Gentleman, whose supplementary question goes quite a long way beyond the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Jeger

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the replies on this Question, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.