HC Deb 24 January 1962 vol 652 cc185-7
16. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for the establishment of a Scottish national theatre.

Mr. Brooman-White

As my right hon. Friend indicated in his Answer to the hon. Member for Dunfermline Burghs (Dr. A. Thompson) on 5th May, increased support is to be given to the repertory theatres in Scotland. My right hon. Friend remains of the view that that is the most appropriate way of helping the theatre in Scotland.

Mr. Willis

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is so bankrupt of ideas regarding the national theatre. Are the Government still prepared to do the same to assist in the formation or creation of a Scottish national theatre as they have done in the case of the creation of the National Theatre for England on the South Bank?

Mr. Brooman-White

The situation is not at all parallel. What I understand my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in the English context was that the Government would be prepared to join with the London County Council in considering a scheme to embrace the Old Vic, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Sadlers Wells. This is not a parallel to the Scottish position.

Mr. Grimond

Will the Government look at this again? While I fully appreciate and agree with the desire to help the repertory theatre, if the opportunity—which may not recur—should arise of acquiring a site for a national theatre in Edinburgh, I hope that the Government will not entirely rule out help similar to that which has been given in England.

Mr. Brooman-White

I understand that the Scottish Committee of the Arts Council has recently decided to have a special look at the Scottish theatre problem. We are of the view, however, that the substantially increased help which could be given to the repertory theatre in Scotland is the most useful thing we can do.

Mr. Stodart

Is my hon. Friend aware that opinion on this matter in Scotland is divided and that the view of the professional theatre has been voiced by Mr. Duncan Macrae, for one, urging exactly this view, that to start with at least the Government should begin by supporting the theatre in the country, namely, the repertory theatre, before they start on the theme of a national theatre?

Mrs. Hart

Is the Minister not aware that there is an even greater need in Scotland for Government encouragement of the national theatre than there is in England, because here we have a Scottish culture which stands in jeopardy of dying unless it gets encouragement from the Government?

Mr. Brooman-White

We are very much aware of the need for increased support for the Scottish repertory theatre, and it will be given.