HC Deb 26 November 1928 vol 223 cc20-1
19. Mr. DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the resolution passed by the Imperial Conference of 1926, which called attention to the importance of an increasing proportion of Empire-produced films being exhibited throughout the Empire, he can state whether legislation has been passed by any of the Dominion Governments giving effect to similar conditions and provisions as exist in the Cinemato- graph Films Act, 1927; and whether replies have now been received from all the Dominion Governments in reply to the communications forwarded to them enclosing copies of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, under date of the 22nd December, 1927?

Mr. AMERY

As regards the first part of the question, I am not aware that any further legislation on this subject has been introduced in any of the Dominions since the reply which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave to a question addressed to him by the hon. Member on December 13th last. I understand that the New Zealand Bill referred to in that answer passed into law at the end of the Session which has recently closed. As regards the second part of the question, I think that the hon. Member has possibly misunderstood the second part of the reply which I gave to a question which he addressed to me on the 14th February last. No communication on this subject was addressed to His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions on 22nd December, 1927; but a despatch was sent to them in January last enclosing a copy of the Regulations of 22nd December, 1927, made by the Board of Trade under Section 29 of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, and of an explanatory memorandum which appeared in the Board of Trade Journal of 29th December. That despatch forwarded the documents in question for the information of the Governments concerned.

Mr. DAY

Has any further communication been sent asking for their comments?

Mr. AMERY

No; that was the only communication which was sent to them.

Mr. DAY

As that was last January, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that he should write for comments?