§ Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, as a result of his action in banning a production of the Ballets Busses de Monte Carlo in a Glasgow theatre, the Scottish people have been deprived of a cultural exhibition made accessible to English cities; and whether, in future, before interfering with Scottish culture in the exercise of his statutory powers, he will consult the Secretary of State for Scotland?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe terms of the question suggest that the right hon. Member is under a misapprehension, which I am anxious to remove. There was no differentiation against Scotland. I felt compelled to refuse permits for a foreign ballet company to appear in any town in the United Kingdom immediately before the appearance in that town of 1057W the Vic.-Wells Ballet. It was also necessary earlier this year to secure that this foreign ballet company adjusted the dates of its season in London. I regret that the lateness of the application for permits, for which of course I was not responsible, rendered it impracticable to make arrangements for the proposed visits of the company to English and Scottish towns.