HC Deb 19 February 1968 vol 759 cc25-8
48 and 49. Mr. Henig

asked the Minister of Labour (1) on what grounds he decides whether or not to issue permits for foreign singers to undertake operatic roles at the Royal Opera House;

(2) why he refused a permit for Mr. Richard Cassilly to sing the rôle of Radames at the Royal Opera House.

53 and 54. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many of his staff, of what grades, are employed in making comparative evaluations of British and foreign artistes; how many foreign artistes have been banned during the past 12 months on the grounds that British artistes were as good if he is satisfied that the method of evaluation adopted is consistent with the highest standards of artistic judgment; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what qualifications are held by the members of his staff with responsibility for assessing the relative merits of foreign and British artistes; what trial took place of the singing and acting of Mr. Richard Cassilly; and why he permitted him to appear at Covent Garden but not on British Broadcasting Corporation Television.

Mr. Gunter

Permits for foreign opera singers to perform in this country are issued in the light of the known circumstances with due regard to the availability of British artistes. My staff are not required to assess the artistic merits of the artistes concerned and no staff are engaged on comparative evaluations of this kind. Permission was given for Mr. Richard Cassilly to appear at Covent Garden because no suitable British singer was available to undertake this particular rôle, but for the B.B.C. production of "Aida" it was ascertained, after consultation with the British Actors Equity Association, that a British artiste of international repute, accustomed to singing the role of Radames, was available to undertake the engagement.

Mr. Henig

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Mr. Richard Cassilly was announced to sing only that one performance, which was the one being televised? Does the Ministry of Labour now keep a roster of all operatic roles with a little tick against them where it is considered that suitable British singers are available? Are we to understand that if in the future a performance is televised, as we hope it will be, changes may be required in the cast already singing at Covent Garden because the Ministry considers that if it is televised different conditions appertain?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Too long—even for "Aida".

Mr. Gunter

I can assure my hon. Friend that we do not have a list that we tick. During 1967 there were 112 applications for opera singers and only one was refused. Of a total of 7,323 applications for artists of all kinds, only 40 were refused—just over one half of one per cent.

Mr. Maudling

How does the Minister decide whether suitable British performers are available if he cannot assess their artistic merits?

Mr. Gunter

That is why we must consult. The difficulty was greater in this case because, as I understand it, there was no conflict as to who had the better voice. It was a question of what the B.B.C. called the physical appearance. Whether that meant that one artiste was tall or short, or whether he looked better in tights, I do not know.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does not the high standing of Covent Garden depend on the fact that it presents international opera on the highest level? Is it not quite wrong for the right hon. Gentleman to interfere in the choice of artistes, and is it not damaging to the standing of our greatest opera house?

Mr. Gunter

Let me be very clear about this. This is the first occasion I have had to face a situation of this character as Minister of Labour. In my wildest dreams I never imagined that I should be brought to this state. I thought that the regulations laid down were concerned with the safeguarding of British workpeople and their conditions. But the theatre is an industry and I must have regard to the overall regulations. I always understood that among the cultured people art was international—hands across the sea and the rest of it.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the result of the consultation to which he referred has been that this country pursues a more liberal policy than any other in this respect? More people from elsewhere in the world perform here than is the case in any other country.

Mr. Gunter

Yes, indeed, and that is one of the difficulties. There are other countries which are much more restric live with British artistes, and therefore it is very natural that our people want to have a bash occasionally.

60. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour what advice he has received from outside bodies to issue a work permit to enable a tenor singer to appear at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; and if he will give an assurance that this advice will receive the same consideration as the negative advice in respect of the same singer received on a previous occasion.

Mr. Gunter

I assume that the Question refers to Richard Cassilly, the American tenor. An application for this singer to appear at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in "Jenufa" was approved following the normal inquiries including consultation with the British Actors Equity Association. Advice given in such consultations is confidential but information from all appropriate sources is given full consideration before labour permits are issued.

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