§ 29. Mr. MACQUISTEN (for Sir H. BRITTAIN)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the question of the blind booking of films and in view of the importance of this subject to the Empire as a whole, he will consider the desirability of introducing the necessary legislation in time to be discussed at the meeting of the Imperial Conference?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKAs my hon. Friend is aware, the President of the Board of Trade is now awaiting a report from the cinema industry on this subject. In any event I fear it would not be possible to prepare and introduce legislation before the adjournment for the Summer Recess.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWould it not be possible to get this matter accelerated before the Imperial Conference? The importation of these block film bookings is very injurious.
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe point in the question is that there should be legislation. There is no necessity for legislation in order to bring the matter before the Imperial Conference, and in fact it is already on the agenda of the Imperial Conference.
§ Colonel DAYWould it not be very much better to let the cinema industry carry out its business in its own way?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENAll these restrictions on block booking are in restraint of trade.