§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received from the Newcastle upon Tyne area in respect of the future of the D'Oyly Carte opera company. [14053]
§ Mr. SproatIn addition to the letters I have received from my hon. Friend himself, and the three extremely helpful meetings I have recently had with him, I have received many representations from the Tyneside area about the future of the D'Oyly Carte opera company. Decisions about its future are a matter for the company itself, in the light of the available options. I informed the House on 28 January,Official Report, columns 148–50, that the Arts Council of England had decided to offer the D'Oyly Carte company a grant of £100,000 to enable it to review its operation and to build on relationships with venues and funding partners. Such relationships play an important part for any company in considering its future.