HC Deb 04 December 1928 vol 223 cc987-8
1. Mr. DAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether complaints are still reaching his Department concerning any infringements of Part I of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; can he state whether the advisory committee appointed under this Act have considered these complaints; and will he state the number of meetings held already by the advisory committee?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Committee has considered the subject on several occasions. It has held 10 meetings up to the present.

Mr. DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any prosecutions have taken place in respect of these infringements?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Yes, Sir; T think I told the hon. Gentleman in answer to a question just before Parlia- ment rose that there had been a case at Birmingham in connection with the infringement of the Act.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Is the right hon. Gentleman finding that the Statute is sufficient to carry out the intention of the Government in this matter?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I think that the Statute is being a tremendous success. There is no doubt that a great impetus is being given to the production of British films, and there has been a big increase in the quantity, and, I understand, a great advance in quality also.