§ 29. Mr. EDEasked the President of the Board of Education what steps he proposes to take to ensure that English is correctly spoken in all talking cinematograph films used in schools?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHAs I stated in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Willesden East (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 16th April, the Board are watching with interest experiments which are being made in the use of talking cinematograph films in schools and I can assure my hon. Friend that neither the Board nor local education authorities are likely to lose sight of the very important aspect of the matter to which he refers.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI do not know as much about the industry as my hon. Friend, but I believe that all talking films are, in fact, manufactured by a company which is situated in America, but is a member of the Federation of British Industries.
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSDoes this arrangement apply to schools where the Welsh language is taught; and will the right hon. Gentleman see that correct Welsh is spoken?
§ Mr. DAYIs it not a fact that the majority of these films are manufactured in Great Britain and that the authorities could get them if they required them?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI do not know the technique of the film industry, but I understand that the talking film industry is centred in the United States.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKWhat will the accent be—will it be a sort of B.B.C. accent or the Oxford and Cambridge accent?
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that talking films are being produced in two different areas in Hertfordshire by Instructional Films, and International Films?