Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 06 Feb 2001

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 6, 2001

Official Report 209KB pdf

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Scottish Opera

We now come to item 3, which is on Scottish Opera. Members have a letter from the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture, Sam Galbraith. I apologise to the committee: our letter to him was signed and sent, but did not arrive with the minister. The first that he was aware of it was when he received his papers late on Friday afternoon—he was subsequently contacted by the press on Monday. Although our letter was sent, I accept that he had not received the letter.

His response is now in front of us. It contains some clarification on the position, and suggests that, once the full business plan is produced, the minister could come before the committee to discuss some of the issues again. If folk are content, that is how we will proceed. I am happy to hear any comments that members may have.

We need answers on this matter, which is causing considerable concern. There are two grounds for that. First, Scottish Opera has now received additional funding in 12 of the past 14 years. Secondly, there is now an admission that it is structurally underfunded. That means that it is not viable in the terms that we have been discussing.

There is a linked question: the power of the minister to direct money to an organisation. We should think carefully about that. I am no fan of arm's-length funding, but it remains in place and, on this occasion, the arrangement appears to have been breached.

We have two issues to raise with the minister, one being the specific matter concerning Scottish Opera, the other being the wider issue of arm's-length funding. I would be happy if the minister was agreeable to answer questions on those matters on a future occasion.

I will convey that to the minister. I spoke to him briefly this morning on the telephone, and he indicated his willingness to come to the committee to discuss the issues that were contained in my letter to him. We can write again, adding the issues that Mike Russell has outlined and seeking to arrange a suitable date, once the business plan is in place.

Given that Cathy Peattie is to do a report on the traditional arts, it should not be forgotten that the additional money for Scottish Opera is more than the whole funding allocated to all the traditional arts. That puts things into perspective.

That is a well-made point, which the committee has raised on a number of occasions.

Judging by the look on her face, Cathy Peattie has not forgotten that.

And she will not forget it in her report.