§ 10. Sir J. SANDEMAN ALLENasked the President of the Board of Education whether, seeing that in the view of teachers all over the country, the speech of children is being corrupted by slang introduced in film sub-titles, and in view of the rapid development of sound and talking films, his Department will cooperate with the Film Board of Censors-in exercising vigilance over film sound and speech?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Duchess of Atholl)The Board of Education will, of course, be glad to give any advice or assistance in their power in this matter, but my right hon. Friend must disclaim any competence to exercise an educational censorship, nor does he think that any censorship will be found to provide a remedy for the very real evil to which my hon. Friend calls attention. For a remedy we must rely mainly upon the film industry itself, which will, I hope, give serious attention to the problem.
§ Sir R. THOMASWill the Noble Lady consider whether the Board of Film Censors are worth consulting; would it not be better to change them completely, seeing that they have failed to stop these horrible films being exhibited?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not the fact that the Chairman of the Board of Film Censors is a respected Member of this House, and a Privy Councillor?