§ 23. Mr. Jegerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new arrangements he has made for financial aid to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
§ Sir E. BoyleDiscussions have taken place between Covent Garden, the Arts Council and the Treasury about arrangements for determining the Covent Garden grant following the expiry in March, 1962, of the current three-year agreement based on 43 per cent. of approved expenditure subject to a limit of £500,000. The grant will in future be based not on approved expenditure but on reckonable receipts in respect of Covent Garden's home and overseas operations. The Treasury has also agreed to provide funds to complete the liquidation of Covent Garden's accumulated bank overdraft at 31st March, 1959, and to finance urgent and essential capital works at the Opera House.
§ Mr. JegerWhilst we all appreciate and welcome the increased aid that is being given to Covent Garden, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman realises that occasionally we ask Questions about increased aid being given to the arts and we are told, as in this case, that it is specific aid for a definite purpose, whereas on other occasions we are told that it is general aid to be applied as the Arts Council wishes? Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the time has arrived for a reconsideration and re-examination of the Arts Council and the way in which it spends its money, in view of the large increase which has occurred during the last few years?
§ Sir E. BoyleI am glad that the hon. Member recognises the attention which the Government have paid to the arts. If on a private Member's day or some other appropriate time the hon. Member likes to debate the matter, it would be a good thing for the House as a whole.