HC Deb 18 July 1956 vol 556 cc90-1W
62. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to make sure that the singers and dancers of the Soviet Army now appearing in this country see British dancing and hear British singers; and to what extent the British Council is responsible for their visit.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

The visit of the Soviet Army Ensemble was arranged by the management of the Empress Hall in association with the Soviet Relations Committee of the British Council, as part of a programme of reciprocal visits which include performances by British companies in the U.S.S.R.

The eight weeks season which opened on 28th June is strenuous, and the Ensemble's spare time is very limited. An invitation to the International Eisteddfod at Llangollen had to be refused on this account. The programme arranged for members of the Ensemble by the British Council and the Empress Hall includes a visit to a performance of Othello at Stratford-upon-Avon.