§ 12. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the report sent to him from the London Trades Council as to the control of the British film industry by American interests; and what action he intends to take?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMYes, Sir, but the report does not appear to be such as to call for any specific action by me.
§ Mr. REMERIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to publish the report so that the information can be made available to the public?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am afraid that that would be difficult. I think that this reached me in private and confidential form, and that the question is one for the London Trades Council.
§ Mr. REMERIf the London Trades Council were agreeable, would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to publish it?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI have already indicated that this is a matter for the Trades Council. If they wish to publish it, I have no power to stop them.
§ 25. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has discovered a remedy for the process by which the Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, has come under American control by means of interlocking holdings through the Metropolis and Bradford Trust, the United American Investing Corporation, and six other persons, of whom some represent American interests, notwithstanding special provisions in the articles of association of the Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, designed to prevent the Gaumont Company 1750 coming by indirect means under non-British control; and will he consult with the Wilfred Greene Committee about the failure of the disclosure of ownership requirements of the 1929 Act and ask that committee to advise him as to what amendments to the Companies Act, 1929, are necessary in order to prevent a company operating under the 1929 Act and controlled indirectly by foreigners calling itself British in its title?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe available facts relating to the control of the Gaumont British Picture Corporation, Limited, were given in my reply to the hon. Member of 21st April, and I can only refer him to that reply in connection with the suggestions contained in the latter part of his present question.
§ Mr. REMERMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman has considered any remedy for this disastrous state of affairs?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI think my previous reply indicates that a remedy, if sought, would probably be an amendment of the Companies Act. I am collecting information from many quarters on that subject, but I am not able at this stage to promise fresh legislation.
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Member answer the last part of my question in which I ask him whether he will consult the committee on this subject?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI cannot undertake to do that off-hand without inquiry. The hon. Member may rest assured that every consideration bearing on an amendment of this Act and problems of this kind will be taken into account.