HC Deb 16 July 1929 vol 230 cc198-200
20. Mr. DAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that American renters of talking films are insisting that British film exhibitors should enter into contracts for several talking films at one and the same time when the bookings are made; and, in view of these conditions, will he consider introducing amending legislation which will bring talking films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Films Act of 1927?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. William Graham)

Statements to the effect indicated have been brought to my notice, but the booking of several films at the same time is not contrary to the Cinematograph Films Act. As the hon. Member was informed by the Parliamentary Secretary on 12th July, I am advised that talking films already come within the scope of the Act.

Mr. DAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the system of talking films is what was commonly known in silent films as block bookings, and does he not realise that it is just a method of getting behind the Act?

Mr. GRAHAM

All my information is that in the point raised by the hon. Gentleman there is nothing which is contrary to the Act, but in any case the Parliamentary Secretary is going to receive a deputation upon this and other subjects, and I think it would be better to discuss the details then.

24. Mr. BECKETT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet considered the effect of talking films on the Act establishing cinema quota; and whether he can make any statement as to his proposals with regard to the continuation of, diminution of, or abandonment of the quota?

Mr. GRAHAM

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Members for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) and East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), copies of which I am sending him.

Mr. BECKETT

Has the President of the Board of Trade had brought to his notice the contract which was made with regard to talking pictures when the instruments were supplied by American firms; and, if it is brought to his notice, will he take steps to ascertain whether those contracts infringe the law or not?

Mr. GRAHAM

Yes, Sir. I have had some representations on that point. I will certainly take into account any further information which my hon. Friend or any other hon. Member can furnish.

Mr. DAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in making these contracts British exhibitors are prohibited from showing British talking films unless they pay 40 or 50 percent, of their takings?

Mr. GRAHAM

As far as I understand the question, that is one of the points for discussion to-morrow. It is quite impossible across the Floor of the House to go into such a very complicated matter.

34. Mr. DAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that members of the Provincial Entertainment Proprietors' and Managers' Association of Manchester own and control 86 cinema theatres in the large provincial centres of Great Britain, in which several millions of British capital are invested; and whether, in view of this fact, this association was invited to send a representative on the deputation that the Parliamentary Secretary is receiving shortly to discuss the question of talking picture machine apparatus as it affects exhibitors of Great Britain?

Mr. GRAHAM

The deputation is being received, at their request, from the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association, which is the representative body of cinematograph exhibitors. Invitations have not been sent to other associations.

Mr. DAY

If the Provincial Entertainment Proprietors' and Managers' Association desire to send a deputation, will the right hon. Gentleman receive a deputation from them on the subject?

Mr. GRAHAM

In this and in all other such matters I prefer to deal with the representative trade union, so to speak, but in any case I understand that the great majority of the members of this provincial association are members of the other association.

Mr. BECKETT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this organisation was badly slighted by the last Government?