§ 3. Sir PHILIP DAWSONasked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the type of many American films now being shown in India eulogising the present Bolshevik régime in Russia, and distinctly pro-Communist; and furthermore that many films portray Moslems at prayer in a manner which is highly offensive to them, in addition to which sex films and those representing drunken orgies must be prejudicial to the prestige of Western civilisation in the eyes of the population 1429 of India; and whether he can do anything to secure a proper censorship of films to stop the bad influence which many of them are now exercising in India?
§ Sir S. HOARENo film can be exhibited in India unless it is certified by one of the five Indian boards of film censors. If my hon. Friend will supply me with details of any films, reported to have been shown in India, which in his opinion are objectionable, I will have inquiries made.
Captain ARTHUR EVANSCan my right hon. Friend say whether the Censorship Board in India is under the auspices of the trade or of His Majesty's Government?
§ Sir S. HOAREIt is under the auspices of the five Provincial Governments.