§ 43. Colonel DAYasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether arrangements are being or have been made by the trustees of the Imperial War Museum to exhibit in cinemas throughout Great Britain the official War film of the battle of Arras; whether any applications have been received from any of the Dominions for the hire or loan of this film; and whether any terms for hiring have been discussed or negoitated?
Mr. SAMUELUp to the present date no arrangements have been made to exhibit this film in cinemas throughout Great Britain, and no application has been received from the Dominions for the hire or loan of it. There has been no discussion on this subject.
§ Colonel DAYHas there been any application for leave to exhibit the film in British cinemas in this country, as it has been exhibited in an American one? Can the hon. Gentleman say what the terms of the negotations were?
Mr. SAMUELIf the hon. Member will look at the original answer, he will see that it gives him the answer to his supplementary question.
§ Mr. HANNONIn the interest of the British film industry, is it not of great importance that any negotiations of this kind should be treated confidentially?
§ Colonel DAYIn view of the Government's apparent ignorance of vital facts on this question, I beg to give notice that I will raise it on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.
§ 58. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air whether on any and, if so, how many occasions officers, airmen, and material belonging to the Royal Air Force have been supplied, or lent, or used for the making of cinematograph war films; what has been the cost incurred to date; and whether it is proposed to make any more of these films with the assistance of the Royal Air Force?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)As regards the first and second parts of the question, facilities for photographing seaplanes at work were granted on one occasion to a company which was producing a film with Admiralty assistance; the seaplanes were photographed during a training flight and no cost was incurred to public funds. As regards the last part of the question, negotiations are at present in progress for the rendering of assistance by the Royal Air Force in the making of a film, but what their result will be cannot yet be stated.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman make it his business to see that the resulting films, if any, are in every way in keeping with the dignity of the Force?
§ Sir S. HOAREThat is exactly what I am trying to do during the course of the negotiations.
§ Colonel DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Royal Air Force or its charities will benefit by the making of this film?
§ Sir S. HOAREI certainly imagine that will be the case, but during the negotiations I cannot give a definite answer. I shall make it my business to obtain the best possible terms.