HC Deb 17 June 1963 vol 679 c3W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Lord Privy Seal on what occasions British ballet companies went on tours abroad, under the auspices of the British Council, during the last five years; and to what extent the cost of each tour was paid by the Council.

Mr. Heath

Including two tours planned to take place shortly, the British Council has been concerned in the past five years with four tours by the Royal Ballet to eight countries; five by the Festival Ballet to thirteen countries; three by Ballet Rambert to six countries; and one by Western Theatre Ballet to one country.

Some of the costs are defrayed by the companies' takings overseas; the British Council may offer simply a guarantee against loss, or may support a section only of a tour abroad. Two of the tours paid for themselves, and accounts for four others are not yet closed. The total cost of the remainder to the British Council was £72,690.

These figures include tours to Commonwealth countries and Colonial Territories.

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