asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the level of grant support for the Royal Opera House for the next financial year will be announced.

This is for the Royal Opera House itself to decide; the Arts Council is able to notify grants within a month of receiving advice of its Parliamentary grant in aid, but it is not its practice to make a public announcement of grants to individual clients.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will introduce legislation to place the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on a sound financial basis with an assured future support; and if he will ensure that such legislation provides a minimum of £8 million additional funding.

The most appropriate basis on which to provide subsidy to the Royal Opera House from central Government funds is for it to continue to be a client of the Arts Council.