Parliament Workbench
Data: Official Report to 12 Nov 2026

Official Report · Committee

Current Petitions

Scottish Opera (Funding) (PE715 and PE777)

Wednesday 5 October 2005 Public Petitions Committee Petitions 6 contributions · 4 speakers

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The record

6 contributions
Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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The next current petitions for consideration are PE715 and PE777. The first calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to ensure that Scottish Opera has adequate resources to maintain a full range of operatic provision. The second, which is from Lorne Boswell, on behalf of Equity, calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Executive to safeguard the future of Scottish Opera by ensuring adequate funding that allows for the maintenance of a full-time chorus.At its meeting on 11 May 2005, the committee considered responses from the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union and Scottish Opera, and agreed to seek the views of the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on those responses. The minister's response has been circulated to members. Would members like to comment on it?

Helen Eadie Lab Dunfermline East
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The minister's response is comprehensive. In my view, it gives sound reasons for the action that has been taken. We should support the Scottish Executive's response and close the petition.

Sandra White SNP Glasgow
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A couple of days ago, there was a newspaper story about Scottish Opera amalgamating with English National Opera. We are in real danger of losing Scottish Opera altogether. Regardless of whether we are fans of opera, we would not like that to happen. The company has been in great difficulty. I know that it has been given funding, but people in the orchestra, in particular, have been paid off. I would not like to close the petition, but the big problem is that, for the life of me, I do not know where else we could send it. Could we refer it to the Enterprise and Culture Committee for perusal? Could we write to the minister? She was very supportive in her original letter, but she now says that there are no moneys. I would not like to leave the issue so black and white.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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I tend to agree with you. I do not know what else the committee can do with the petition, and I think that we will have to close it. However, we could do so by referring it for information to the Enterprise and Culture Committee, which can decide whether to take further action on the petition.

Michael McMahon Lab The Convener · Hamilton North and Bellshill
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We will leave the matter there.

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