§ 50. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by many cinematograph exhibitors in Great Britain on account of their inability to procure sufficient good British sound-films to comply with the quota provisions as laid down by the Cinematograph Act, 1927; whether this situation has been considered by the advisory committee appointed by him under this Act; and whether he will give particulars of any exemptions that have been applied for and granted either to exhibitors or renters for the non-compliance with the quota provisions laid down by the Act?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHDifficulty of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers has been alleged in some cases, but the great majority of exhibitors showed the required quota of British films last year and many showed much more than the quota. This year I understand that the supply of good British sound-films is greater than last year. In reply to the last part of the question, I do not think I should be justified in publishing particulars of individual applications for exemption.
§ Mr. DAYCan the hon. Gentleman give the number of these exemptions? Is it the case that there are considerably over 100?
§ Mr. SMITHI could not give the number without notice, but I think that in relation to the total number of exhibitors it is small.
§ Mr. DAYMay I point out to the hon. Gentleman that, in the question, I asked for the number of exemptions.