§ 4. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the nature of certain American films that are being shown in India; and what steps are being taken to prevent such films being shown?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Government of India were asked, by a despatch dated 31st March last, to give their attention to the whole question of the censorship of films shown in India and particularly to the question of the suitability or unsuitability of films of Western, especially of American, production for exhibition in India. The Government of India's reply 1719 is awaited; and I have no information as to what steps have as yet been taken to strengthen the existing system of censorship.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the Noble Lord aware that public opinion is very seriously disturbed in India over the harm which is done by these undesirable films?
§ Earl WINTERTONYes, but that disturbance is not greater than the disturbance caused in this country. The problem is an exceedingly difficult one, and it is to find an efficient form of censorship for films.
§ Colonel DAYIs the Noble Lord aware that the last film banned was a British film and not an American film?
§ Earl WINTERTONI do not know that, but, at any rate, it was an undesirable film.