HC Deb 08 July 1930 vol 241 cc226-7
36. Mr. R. S. YOUNG

asked the Secretary of State for War the fee at which the War Office were prepared to agree to the request of a British film company to lend a battalion or more of British soldiers as actors for the film "Tell England"; and whether this offer was accepted?

Mr. SHAW

It would be contrary to practice to give information as to contract prices. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. YOUNG

Will my right hon. Friend take care that soldiers do not undertake work which legitimately be longs to unemployed film actors?

Mr. SHAW

I thought that the complaint in this case was that the Army had demanded too much money; that the complaint was from the film com- pany that they could not pay the money owing to the excessive demands of the Army for payment?

Sir N. STEWART SANDEMAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that British film producing companies receive preference?

Mr. SHAW

I did not know that we ever supplied soldiers for foreign films.

Mr. DAY

Is it not a fact that the last Government supplied soldiers for a foreign film?