§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Minister for the Arts whether he has any plans to increase funding for the provision for opera facilities in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LuceThe funding of opera is a matter for the Arts Council. However, I am pleased to say that, as a result of the increase in the Arts Council's grant which I announced in November, companies will receive significant increases in their grant. Among these, Welsh National Opera will receive an 8 per cent. increase from the Arts Council of Great Britain, and a 10.1 per cent. rise from the Welsh Arts Council taking its total grant to £4.8 million in 1990–91.