§ 6. Sir JOHN POWERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can furnish any information as to the increase in the production of British cinematograph films?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAccording to the trade information at my disposal the number of British feature films made in 1925 was 34, and in 1926 23, while in the present year apparently about 60 such films will be completed. On the 10th November, in addition to films already trade shown, there were 19 films completed and awaiting trade show, and 13 in course of production, while 44 others were scheduled for production. All the above are "long films," as defined in the Cinematograph Films Bill. I have not complete information as to the total number of short films.
§ Colonel DAYMay I ask whether the officers of the right hon. Gentleman's Department have reported as to the success, or otherwise, of any of these films that have been produced?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERNo, Sir. The officers of my Department have not reported. As I think the hon. Member is aware, the exhibitors themselves report upon the comparative efficiency of the films, trade shown, and their reports to their own trade show that in the aggregate the merit of British films is considerably higher in the aggregate than the average American and foreign films.
§ Colonel DAYIs it not a fact and does not the right hon. Gentleman know that several British films that have been produced lately have been banned in our Colonies?
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYDoes not the 300 per cent, increase in British films show that the British Films Bill is already doing good?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERYes, certainly.