§ 18. Mr. Dayasked the President of the Board of Trade particulars of any prosecutions that have taken place during the previous three years under Part III of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and the number of meetings that have been held by the Advisory Committee appointed under that Act during the 12 months ending at the last convenient date?
Mr. StanleyDuring the three years ended 31st December, 1936, proceedings were instituted in 61 cases for infringements of Part III of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927. Thirty-six of these cases were in respect of failures by exhibitors to furnish their returns, four for exhibiting without a licence and 21 for defaults in exhibitors' quota. During the 12 months ended 31st May, 1937, five meetings of the Cinematograph Films Advisory Committee were held.
§ 19. Mr. Dayasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state the Government's decision upon the comments made to him on 11th June by the interests concerned in the cinematograph film trade of Great Britain upon the Government's suggested amendments to the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and will he make a statement of the Government's proposals and when the draft Bill will be introduced?
Mr. StanleyI hope that in the course of the next few days the observations of the various sections of the film trade on the suggestions which I put before them on 11th June will have reached me. When these have been considered, the Government will be in a position to reach a decision.
§ Mr. DayCan the right hon. Gentleman give a definite date when this Bill will be introduced? Will it be before the Summer Recess?