HC Deb 23 May 1973 vol 857 c441
4. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the Edinburgh Opera House.

Mr. Gordon Campbell

Edinburgh Corporation is still considering the proposals for Government assistance for the Castle Terrace theatre development which were put to it in my Department's letter of 26th January.

Mr. Dalyell

Is the project affected by the Chancellor's statement on Monday?

Mr. Campbell

No, Sir.

Mr. Edward Taylor

If the Government are to consider spending millions of pounds on a new opera house in Edinburgh, may I ask them to bear in mind the equal importance of spending a lesser but appropriate sum to upgrade Hampden Park to make it a suitable site for the holding of international football matches? Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that far more people watch football than go to the opera?

Mr. Campbell

I am well aware of my hon. Friend's concern with Hampden Park, but this is a quite separate question.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

If the Edinburgh Opera House is not affected by the cuts in local authority expenditure announced on Monday, may I ask what other cultural, recreational or public buildings will be affected in Scotland?

Mr. Campbell

This project has not yet been approved. The Government have put forward proposals stating how much they would be prepared to give by way of a grant, but the project itself has not yet been approved by Edinburgh Corporation.