§ 59 and 60. Mr. O'Malleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if, in view of the position of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, its value to the cultural life of the country, and its work in fostering good will overseas, he will increase his grant to the Arts Council by a sufficient amount, earmarked for this purpose, to guarantee the continued existence of the orchestra;
(2) if, in view of the position of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, its value to the cultural life of the country and work in fostering good will overseas, and the need to ensure the continued existence of the orchestra, he will introduce legislation to establish it as a State orchestra.
Mr. M. MacmillanIt would be contrary to the long-established traditions of this country to create a State orchestra, and I do not think it would be right to accord the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra a status different from that of other symphony orchestras. Nor would I think it desirable to interfere with the freedom of the Arts Council in the detailed allocation of their grant, which has already been fixed until 1966.