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?