§ Mr. Brookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the effect of the war on the finances of certain institutions on which the supply of professional musicians depends; and whether he is prpared to take any action in the matter?
§ Sir K. WoodYes, Sir. I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Education on this matter, and we have appointed a Committee with the following terms of reference:
"To inquire
- (1) whether, in order to maintain the standard of professional musicianship, it is necessary that increased assistance from public funds should be given to institutions (other than Universities) in England and Wales providing advanced musical training and education; and
- (2) if so, to what institutions, on what scale, in what manner and subject to what conditions such assistance should be given; and to make recommendations."
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland informs me that the only institution of this kind in Scotland is already in receipt of grant from the Scottish Education Department. The constitution of the Committee is as follows:
Sir Walter Moberly, D.S.O. (Chairman).
Mr. H. Claughton, C.B.E.
Dame Myra Hess, D.B.E.
Mr. R. J. F. Howgill.
Sir Frederick G. Kenyon, G.B.E., K.C.B.
Dr. Malcolm Sargent.
Dr. E. de Selincourt.
Mr. W. C. Chesterman, O.B.E., Secretary of the University Grants Committee, will act as Secretary to the Committee.