HC Deb 19 December 1956 vol 562 cc199-200W
Mrs. Jeger

asked the Attorney-General why the Public Trustee has agreed to proposals to limit the number of future productions of Shaw's "Pygmalion".

The Attorney-General

The Public Trustee, like any private trustee, is required by law to administer trusts to the best advantage of the beneficiaries and, in granting or refusing licences for the performance of plays, he is obliged to take into account the circumstances of each case. I know that, so far as is consistent with his duty to the beneficiaries, he endeavours to satisfy the public demand to see the author's plays. As his rules require him to observe strict secrecy in respect of every trust administered by him, I cannot give particulars of agreements to which he is a party or say what will be his policy with regard to his future administration of the late Mr. Bernard Shaw's estate.