§ 1. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a copy of the Report and conclusions arrived at by the Committee which was appointed by the Governor-General in Council to consider the production and introduction of cinematograph films in India?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Wedgwood Benn)Yes, Sir. A copy was received by my predecessor and was placed by him in the Library.
§ 2. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for India whether ho has any information and can state whether the exhibition of any films has been prohibited in India during the past two years; and, if so, will he give particulars, including the names and titles of such films and the country of their origin?
§ Mr. BENNThe censorship of films in India is a matter for the local authorities, and I do not receive reports of the action taken by the Indian Boards of Films Censors in respect of the films submitted to them. I will, however, send to my hon. Friend a list of 47 films, the exhibition of which is known from the information in my possession to have been prohibited during the last two years.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say from what country most of these films which were prohibited came? Are there not a great many films which should not be shown at all in India?
§ Mr. BENNI could, of course, prepare a list showing the countries of origin and would willingly do so; but I may say that I have looked through the list, and objection occurred in nearly every case on grounds of ordinary decency and morality.