30. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of quota films which have been produced in this country since the operation of the Cinematograph Films Act; and whether he has any figures to show the approximate cost of production per foot?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANBetween 1st April, 1928, and 31st May, 1935, 1,017 long films (i.e., films of 3,000 feet and upwards) and 729 short films made in this country have been registered under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927. I have no information as to the cost of production per foot.
31. Captain EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory operation of the section of the Cinematograph Films Act, which compels exhibitors to show an increasing proportion of British films, regardless of the quantity or quality available; whether his attention has been drawn to the views of cinema exhibitors in Britain on this point; and whether he will appoint a committee of inquiry to investigate the present position with a view to making recommendations to amend the Act in order to encourage the production of better quality, short, quota pictures in Great Britain?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that the question of the quality of British films is one which the Cinematograph Films Advisory Committee have under consideration. I would point out that, under the Act, an exhibitor who fails to comply with the quota provisions is not liable to a penalty if he can show that compliance was not commercially practicable by reason of the character of the British films available or their excessive cost.
Captain EVANSIn regard to the quality of the films, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive a deputation from the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, accompanied by representatives of the film-going public?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI shall be delighted and happy to receive any deputation introduced by my hon. and gallant Friend.
Viscountess ASTORHow would the hon. and gallant Member describe a representative of the film-going public? Whom would he pick out as representative?