27. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many British liners are now fitted with talking-film equipment, but that neither on the transatlantic nor on any other route are English films shown on the liners so fitted; and if he will take steps, in the interests of the film industry in this country, to secure that in future a certain proportion of the films shown on British liners shall be of English production?
§ 29. Mr. DENVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that British films are not shown on British transatlantic liners; and will he take steps to ensure the same proportion being shown on British ships as has to be shown in cinemas in this country?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The provisions of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, do not apply outside Great Britain, but I understand that British talking films have been and are being shown on British liners. I hope that, in the interests of British industry, this practice will be more generally followed by British shipowners.
Sir F. HALLIn these circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to get into communication with the owners of the Transatlantic boats, and see whether something on the lines he has stated can be done?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI hope that, after the expression of opinion which has been heard here to-day, the liners will take more British films.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDIs it not the fact that these machines are supplied by American companies on condition that American films only are used?