§ 69. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has accrued to the Treasury from film companies engaged in making films with Government assistance, specifying the details?
Mr. SAMUELThe amount in question is £13,544. I am afraid that it would not be in the public interest for me to give details of the receipts.
§ Colonel DAYDoes that amount include the amount received by the Treasury for the hire of official British War films?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADoes the hon. Gentleman not think that it is very much in the public interest to state how much the Treasury has received from this source? What possible cause can be injured by the publication?
Mr. SAMUELMy hon. Friend perhaps did not hear my answer, in which the amount was given, namely, £13,500. As to details, may I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister last week—on December 6th?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I asked that question of the Prime Minister, who said that if I wanted to obtain detailed figures I should ask a specific question about them. I have now done that, and why have we not had the figures given?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs there any reason why we should not have a proper balance-sheet showing how much was paid or lost by the Treasury on these films?
§ Colonel DAYIs there any reason to hide this transaction or any reason why we should not have the particulars of these films?
Mr. SAMUELThe Prime Minister gave a long answer with full details to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). He actually gave the information for which the hon. Gentleman now asks.
§ Colonel DAYIs it a fact that, in reply to the supplementary question I put, the Prime Minister said that if we wanted any further details with regard to the profit on each film, that question should be put to the Departments?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn this question I have asked for specific details, and the hon. Gentleman keeps on avoiding the point by referring to some previous answer that has no reference to it. What has the Treasury to conceal?
Mr. SAMUELThe Treasury has nothing to conceal. My reply is that I cannot better the answer given by the Prime Minister.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that very great assistance has been given to these companies, and that when he says he cannot give details he simply makes people suspicious?