§ 36. Sir P. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the Film Consultative Committee have met during the last 12 months and during the last three months; and whether they are in consultation with the British Board of Film Censors as to the principles on which the censoring of films should be conducted?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I understand that the Film Censorship Consultative Committee have met once during the last 12 months,. namely, on the 18th June, 1934. The committee were appointed to consider broad questions of policy relating to the exercise of film censorship with a view to securing closer co-operation between the British Board of Film Censors and the local licensing authorities, and for this purpose they keep in close touch with the board.
§ Sir P. HARRISDoes that not seem a long time to wait before they had their first meeting, and is it much use appointing a Committee in those circumstances?
Viscountess ASTORWill the Home Secretary bear in mind that there is a rising tide of feeling about the kind of bills that are being shown, and will he ask the Committee to have a censorship of advertisements of films because the bills are in many cases as offensive as the films?
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELAs the Committee have only met once in the last 12 months, does this imply that it is ceasing to function?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs not the right way to a good film not to allow any American films?