FILM INDUSTRY. (Hansard, 16 November 1937)

HC Deb 16 November 1937 vol 329 cc200-1 200

§ 35. Mr. Mander
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to carry out Recommendation 17 of the Report of the Moyne Committee (Cmd 5320) on the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927, that the Government should approach those Dominions in which film quota legislation is in operation to protect the local industry, with a view to urging that treatment given by them to films made in Great Britain should, as far as possible, be reciprocal to that received by their films in this country?

Mr. Stanley
So far as I am aware, Australia is the only Dominion in which quota legislation is in operation to protect the local film industry. The legislation is State, not Commonwealth, legislation. I will bear the suggestion of the hon. Member in mind when a suitable opportunity occurs to raise the question of reciprocal treatment for films in Great Britain.

§ Mr. Mander
As this is a definite recommendation of the Moyne Committee, cannot the right hon. Gentleman say whether he intends to seek an opportunity of carrying it out at once?

Mr. Stanley
Of course it may be a recommendation of the Moyne Committee, but any effect has to be given to it by legislation in Australia, and a suitable moment for raising it is at the moment when amending legislation of one kind or another is going to be introduced.

§ Mr. Mander
As we have amending legislation before the House at the present time, surely this is an opportune moment?

§ Mr. Day
Was it not stated, in the time of the last Government, that they would endeavour to obtain the same quota conditions in the Colonies and Dominions?

Mr. Stanley
I should not like to answer without notice a question on something that was said by the Government in 1927.

§ 37. Mr. Day
asked the President of the Board of Trade the country or countries of origin of all the cinematograph film imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

201

Mr. Stanley
As the answer involves a tabular statement, I will with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

§ Mr. Day
Do the figures show that America has exported into this country

Table showing the quantity and declared value of cinematograph films imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1936, distinguishing the principal countries of consignments. Particulars of the countries of origin of these films are not available.
—	Quantity.	Declared value.
				Thousand linear feet of the standard width of I⅜in.	£
Cinematograph films—
Blank film—
Total imports	…	…	…	70,843	273,328
Of which consigned from:
Canada	…	…	…	223	524
Germany	…	…	…	12,015	36,748
Belgium	…	…	…	10,280	39,267
France	…	…	…	5,992	20,542
United States	…	…	…	42,082	174,646
Positives—
Total imports	…	…	…	20,371	130,321
Of which consigned from:
Germany	…	…	…	1,254	12,560
Netherlands	…	…	…	163	1,715
Belgium	…	…	…	133	829
France	…	…	…	1,607	11,983
Austria	…	…	…	228	1,845
United States	…	…	…	16,125	92,141
Negatives—
Total imports	…	…	…	2,968	60,003
Of which consigned from:
Irish Free State	…	…	…	116	2,701
Canada	…	…	…	171	6,635
Germany	…	…	…	110	2,099
France	…	…	…	323	8,970
United States	…	…	…	1,550	19,849