§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Minister for the Arts if he will list the sums of money from all sources which he is making available directly from his Department or in conjunction with others to the Welsh National Opera in the present financial year; what was the comparable figure in 1989–90; and if he will list the projected figures for 1991–92 and subsequent years insofar as firm or tentative projections have been made.
§ Mr. RentonThe Welsh National Opera is funded jointly by the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Welsh Arts Council. The information requested is as follows:
£'000s ACGB WAC 1989–90 2,669 1,791 1990–91 2,935 1,972 1991–92 13,100 2,130 1 Provisional allocation. Levels of funding for future years have yet to be determined.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Minister for the Arts what discussions have taken place between his officials and the Welsh National Opera about finances; what differences have arisen over the financial contribution of the Government to the Welsh National Opera; and what differences still remain.
§ Mr. RentonThe funding of the Welsh National Opera is a matter for the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Welsh Arts Council. The chairman of the ACGB met the chairman and members of the board of the WNO on 8 January to discuss the company's current financial position. I understand that the meeting was helpful and constructive. Further detailed discussions are being arranged between the two funding bodies and the company, with the intention of achieving a mutually acceptable outcome. I very much welcome this positive development.