§ 13. Sir COOPER RAWSONasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that it is proposed to show in the near future another American film, based on the late War, which is calculated to prove distasteful to a large section of the British public; and will he either view the film himself or have it viewed independently on behalf of the public as a whole before it is released for public display?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSYes, Sir; my attention has been called to the film which my hon. Friend presumably has in mind. It has recently been passed by the British Board of Film Censors after careful examination, and is awaiting public exhibition; and the inquiries which I have made do not show that it is of such a character as my hon. Friend fears.
§ Sir C. RAWSONIf I supply particulars of half a dozen other films, which are considered undesirable by a great many people, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the matter?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSOf course, it may be that I am thinking of one thing, and my hon. Friend is thinking of something else. I have had questions about this. If he will give me particulars of the films he has in mind, I will look into the matter?
§ Colonel DAYIs it not a fact that the film censor is a Member of this House, thoroughly capable, and does his work in a perfectly satisfactory manner?
§ Sir WALTER de FRECEIs it not obvious that if films prove distasteful to the public the public will stay away from them?