HC Deb 07 March 1928 vol 214 cc1110-2
2. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he takes any steps to inform himself of the nature of cinematograph films produced in this country, particularly those intended to represent episodes in the late War, from the point of view of their effect on our good relations with friendly Powers; whether he exercises any such supervision over those films known as war films in which assistance has been rendered by the loan of soldiers, sailors, and airmen in His Majesty's service, and of ships, artillery, tanks, aeroplanes, and other war material; and what steps he takes to prevent objectionable features from the point of view of the Foreign Office in such films?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. If objectionable features in a film are brought to the notice of the Foreign Office, it is always open to the Department to draw the attention of the Home Office to them.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Who brings these matters to the notice of the Foreign Office—I am speaking here of films made with the assistance of Government servants?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Any kind of film can be brought to the notice of the Foreign Office by anyone. If anything of the kind is brought to the notice of the Foreign Office, they then take action.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

In that case, has the hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a film, produced with the assistance of the Air Force, showing the bombing a Chinese villages, and has he made representations about it?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

We have no official status in the matter. If the attention of the Foreign Office is drawn to any particular film which seems likely to interfere with friendly international relations, we take an opportunity of approaching the Home Office on the matter.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is that opportunity taken in an official or in an unofficial way?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

I have already said that we have no official status in the matter; we have no powers.

Sir WILLIAM LANE MITCHELL

And the Home Office has no powers either?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

No; the authority lies with the licensing authority.

Sir W. LANE MITCHELL

The county council?

Mr. WALLHEAD

Has the Foreign Office any power at all with regard to the employment of British troops or units of the Navy for this purpose?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

That is not a question for my Department.

8. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the results of the half-dozen cases in which representatives abroad of His Majesty have protested against the exhibition of certain cinematograph films as derogatory to British prestige; and whether satisfaction has been obtained in all cases?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

In every case the considerations advanced by His Majesty's Representatives were sympathetically received, and such action as was possible to meet our views was promised.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Did we get satisfaction in these cases, apart from promises?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Yes; I looked very carefully through the papers with regard to these half-dozen cases, and I believe we have got full satisfaction.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

In that case, have we not an obligation to reciprocate, where our attention is drawn to something similarly obnoxious to a foreign country?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

Certainly; in cases that have come to our notice we have reciprocated.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Then what did the hon. Gentleman mean when he told me, in answer to a previous question, that he has no official status in this matter?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

It is perfectly true that we have no official authority in this matter; it lies with the licensing authority. When our attention is drawn to any particular case, we let the Home Office know, and the Home Office brings it to the notice of the Board of Films Censors or of the licensing authority.

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