What steps he intends to take to ensure that opera is available to the widest possible range of ages in every part of the country. [144786]

Access to all the arts, regardless of age, geography or financial circumstance, is one of my Department's key policies, and one to which the substantial increase in the Arts Council of England's budget of £100 million by 2003–04 has provided a valuable boost. The Arts Council's "spheres of influence" policy, which I commend, is working to increase access to opera and ballet across the country. The policy maximises national coverage by pairing individual touring companies and receiving theatres, ensuring that high-quality opera and ballet take place in each region.

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Does he share my aspiration to see opera in the United Kingdom attain an image closer to the one that it has in Italy, where it is seen as an activity for the whole community, and one in which young people can aspire with enthusiasm to develop their talents as much as they do in sport or any other artistic activity?

Will my right hon. Friend join me in paying tribute to the work of Welsh National Opera in pursuing the objective of engaging young people at the earliest possible age, through the activities of outreach and education, in several regions of England as well as in Wales? Will he confirm his continued support for that activity?

My right hon. Friend reminds us that the people of Wales have a passion for opera that is perhaps matched only by that of the Italians. Let us hope that, as opportunities improve, more and more people in England will also develop that passion.

I willingly join my right hon. Friend in paying tribute to the work of Welsh National Opera, which runs admirable education programmes in all the towns and cities in which they perform and tour. It bodes well for the future of Welsh National Opera that my right hon. Friend—in whose Constituency it now has its headquarters—is its champion. I am pleased that the Arts Council of England has increased its support for Welsh National Opera by 8.4 per cent. in the present year. However, the support that the Arts Council of Wales has been able to give has not matched that of the Arts Council of England for some years. I hope that my right hon. Friend will use his influence in Wales to bring about a change in that regard.

Prior to the re-opening of the Royal Opera House, the Secretary of State said that he would like to see people wearing trainers viewing the opera next to people wearing dinner suits. What has been the change in the demographics of the audience over the past few months since the Royal Opera house reopened?

I am pleased that, under the chairmanship of Sir Colin Southgate and the direction of Mr. Michael Kaiser, a greater range of audiences has come to the Royal Opera House to enjoy wonderful opera of world-class quality. I believe that that will continue when Mr. Tony Hall arrives to succeed Mr. Kaiser, and the Government remain determined to ensure that the Royal Opera House has the opportunity to provide wonderful operatic experiences for all our people.