§ 21. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of applications that have been made to his Department for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date for the registration of films under the Cinematograph Films Act of 1927; ears he state the number of these films that have been classified for quota as long films; and the number that have been refused such classification?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMIn the 12 months ended 30th June last there were registered 1,792 films, of which 108 were British long films. Three applications for the registration of British long films were refused, two of them because the films did not fall within the scope of the Act and one because it did not comply with the conditions under which a film may be deemed to be British.
§ Mr. DAYIn view of the small number of quota films, can the right hon. Gentleman say what measures are being taken so that exhibitors will not be forced to break the law?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI can add nothing to recent replies. If my hon. Friend has in mind legislation, that I cannot promise. What I can promise is the continued interest of the Advisory Committee in everything connected with the industry.
§ Police District) are only available in respect of the six months periods eliding in March and September respectively. The figures for the 12 months ended in March are as follow:
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman promise that the Advisory Committee will look upon the commission of breaches with a beneficent eye so that prosecutions will not take place?
§ 26. Mr. MANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade if it is proposed to hold any form of inquiry into the present position of the film industry in this country with a view to obtaining agreed recommendations?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe answer is in the negative, for reasons which have now been fully explained to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. MANDERHas the Advisory Committee recently considered the position?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe Advisory Committee has considered innumerable problems connected with the industry. What my hon. Friend was requesting recently was an alteration of the quota, which would require legislation, and I cannot promise legislation.
§ Mr. MANDERHas the right hon. Gentleman taken the opinion of the Advisory Committee on that point?
§ Mr. GRAHAMTheir opinion is taken on innumerable points. If my hon. Friend refers to the recent deputation, I am proposing to bring the matter to the notice of the Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. DAYHas the right hon. Gentleman received many communications from independent exhibitors saying it is impossible to carry out their obligations?
§ Mr. GRAHAMMany letters, no doubt, have been received, but I should require notice as to the precise character of any complaints.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANCannot the right hon. Gentleman do any- 219 thing to make it compulsory for Americans coming here to produce films through legislation?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have already mentioned that that will require legislation. There is no doubt that that raises the whole question of the quota and, if that is so, I am not in a position to promise legislation.
Sir N. STEWART SANDEMANIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that Members on these benches would regard it as an agreed Bill?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThat is precisely the point. My information is to the contrary.