§ 11. Colonel DAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what sums of money, giving full details and percentages in each case, have been received by the Admiralty as their share of the profits derived from any films that have been made with the use of Admiralty property ships and naval ratings for exhibition to the public under contracts entered into between the Admiralty film-producing companies?
§ Lieut. - Colonel HEADLAMThe amount actually received from film companies by the Admiralty up to date is £6,637. Further considerable sums are, however, expected to accrue from profits on films at present running. I am afraid I could not undertake to give the amounts in the detail asked for, as it is the invariable practice not to divulge contract prices.
§ Colonel DAYCannot the Parliamentary Secretary say the amount of money that has been received for each film?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMI have given the hon. Member all the information that it is in my power to give.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask whether the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the services of naval ratings are used, as at Malta and Gibraltar, for commercial purposes, assisting in wireless telegraphy, and that these services are paid for? Why not make a business proposition of the use of naval ratings in the cinema-producing industry?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMWe are making it a business proposition, and that is one of the reasons why we are unable to disclose any of the details.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAMay I ask whether, in the case of this particular contract, the Parliamentary Secretary does not think it would be in the public interest to disclose what percentage the Admiralty are getting? It is a matter 2291 of public interest, and the British taxpayers are entitled to know.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMWe are looking after the interests of the British taxpayer.
§ Colonel DAYIs it not the fact that a separate contract is made for each film, and is not the House of Commons entitled to know what profits are made out of these cinema contracts?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it true that a separate contract is made for each film?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMWe make our contracts and we make them in as satisfactory a manner as we can. I think the House should be satisfied with that.
§ 12. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what cost has been incurred to date by the loan of officers and ratings, ships, and materials, for the making of cinematograph films; and what is the estimated cost of the services to be rendered for the making of the films already arranged for which His Majesty's Navy and royal naval personnel will enact scenes?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMSo far as can be ascertained, the expenses involved to date in connection with naval material have been less than £350 and these costs are paid for by the firms making the films. As regards royal naval personnel no extra expenses to the Crown are incurred. I am unable to estimate the cost referred to in the last part of the question, but whatever it may be it will be repaid by the firms concerned.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYShould I not be right in saying that fuel is used by ships for this purpose which otherwise would be used for legitimate exercises, and that therefore the actual cost is very considerable?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe actual cost of what?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes the Parliamentary -Secretary expect me to suggest that you can send a squadron of ships to sea burning oil fuel for a cost of £350?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMAll these costs are considered when the contract is made.
§ Colonel DAYIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that enormous profits have been made by the film companies producing these films, and that for the hire of the Navy and personnel and everything else the Admiralty has received only £6,000 for twelve films?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs not the whole object of these questions to prevent the production of British films?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that the Navy are kept very tight for oil fuel, and that if they use it for film making they cannot use it for ordinary exercises?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe answer is that they do not use it.