HC Deb 21 December 1937 vol 330 cc1761-3
27. Mr. T. Henderson

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the contract for cinema equipment for the "Queen Mary's" sister ship has been allocated; and whether the order has been placed with a British company?

Mr. Stanley

I am informed by the Canard White Star, Limited, that the contract has been placed with a company whose registered offices and works are in London. I am also informed that the suppliers have guaranteed that, with the exception of certain special parts which cannot be obtained in this country, all the equipment will be of British manufacture.

28. Mr. Day

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British films, giving separately the number of long films, that were registered and/or produced in this country for the 12 months ending at the last convenient date; and the number of these films that were financed by foreign capital for the purpose of meeting quota requirements of foreign interests?

Mr. Stanley

The total number of British films registered in the 12 months ended 30th November, 1937, was 447, of which 232 were long films. I have no information as to the number of films financed by foreign capital for the purpose of meeting quota requirements, but 173 of these films, including 137 long films, were acquired by the chief distributors of foreign films in this country.

Mr. Day

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the number of these films that were financed by foreign capital?

Mr. Stanley

If the hon. Member will read the answer, he will see that I have no information as to the number of these films financed by foreign capital.

38. Miss Wilkinson

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government has yet been in communication with the United States Government regarding the Cinematograph Films Bill, in view of its possible effects on the forthcoming regulations for trade agreements between England and the United States of America?

37. Major Procter

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the nature of the representations received from American official sources with regard to the proposal for separating the film quotas or for setting up a Films Commission in this country; and what reply has been made?

Mr. Stanley

Representations have been received from the United States Government on the question of films on more than one occasion. They did not contain any specific reference to the separate quota scheme or to the establishment of a Films Commission.

Miss Wilkinson

Was the nature of those representations from the American Government such as to put any pressure on His Majesty's Government regarding what they will agree to in the cinematograph film industry, so that our committee is not to be free to decide without pressure from foreign Governments?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir.

Miss Wilkinson

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that there has been no such pressure?

Mr. Stanley

I answered in the negative.

Miss Wilkinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that representatives of American interests in this country not only say that pressure has been put on His Majesty's Government, but are boasting of that pressure?