§ 52. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the President of the. Board of Trade whether, following the vote of the cinematograph exhibitors with reference to blind booking of foreign films, any immediate action is contemplated and whether his Department will continue to do all in its power to encourage the largest possible proportion of British films being shown upon the screens in this country?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELThe President of the Board of Trade expects to receive in due course a report from the cinema industry regarding blind booking, and will then be prepared to discuss with representatives of the industry the best way to give effect to its views on that matter. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIn view of the enormous importance of the question, as to which I know that the hon. Gentleman agrees, will he do all that is possible to see that something practicable is available before the Imperial Conference meets?
§ Mr. SAMUELYes, I agree that the whole thing is very important. But we cannot act until the trade has made up its mind; we wait for the Trade to make the next step.