§ 43. Viscount SANDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a United States combine have secured partial or complete control of cinema theatres in some of the West Indian Colonies; and whether he will suggest legislation in all these Colonies to mitigate the effect of the control of programmes passing into non-British hands?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI have no official confirmation of the state of affairs suggested in the first part of my Noble Friend's question. The Government of all the British West Indian Colonies, and of British Guiana and British Honduras, already possess statutory powers to control of the type of film displayed, and their attention has recently been drawn to the terms of the Cinematograph Films Bill introduced into this House.
§ Viscount SANDONDoes the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a matter of the utmost consequence?
Mr. ORMBSY-GOREI think it is very important that in these countries, with a mixed population, the type of film exhibited, whether criminological or otherwise, should receive extra careful attention.
§ Colonel DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these Colonies are passing a Bill on the same lines as we are?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, I cannot say that at present. We are merely in-forming them of the terms of the Bill.