HC Deb 04 July 1923 vol 166 cc434-5
65. Sir A. HOLBROOK

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the fact that the British film production industry is being destroyed by the dumping of American films, he will consider the imposition of an embargo of 33 1/3 per cent. on all American films brought into this country; and is he aware that, whereas 90 per cent. of the films shown in this country are of American origin, the American embargo upon English films is so effective that the proportion of British films exhibited in America is only one-eighth per cent.?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)

I do not think that the course suggested by my hon. Friend would achieve the result he desires. I have recently had the pleasure of receiving a deputation from the film-producing industry on this subject, and I am going into the question in detail with them.

Sir A. HOLBROOK

Is the Noble Lord aware that the British film-producing trade is being killed by the present system of dumping the American films into this country—bringing them in by way of France?

Viscount WOLMER

Yes, Sir; I am.