HC Deb 15 June 1967 vol 748 cc759-60
19. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it a condition of the financial support given from public funds to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, that tickets are fairly distributed; and if he will make it a condition that the authorities should inquire into the sources of tickets for performances which have been allegedly sold out.

Miss Jennie Lee

Where the demand for tickets exceeds the number of seats, problems inevitably arise. I have for some time back been discussing the whole matter with both the Arts Council and the Opera House and fully agree with my hon. Friend that not only must justice be done but be seen to be done.

Mr. Carter-Jones

I thank my right hon. Friend, but is she aware that people in the North feel that they are having a very raw deal in the allocation of tickets—and they assure me that they all pay their taxes.

Miss Lee

There has been a good deal of criticism about ticket agencies, but only 248 seats out of 2,158 are allocated through them. We are looking into the problem, which is difficult, and we do want fair play.

are being financed and promoted by the Arts Council.

Following is the information: