HC Deb 05 December 1938 vol 342 cc855-6
37. Miss Horsbrugh

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware of the public interest which is being shown as to the nature of the films to be exhibited in the cinema of the British Pavilion at the forthcoming New York World's Fair; and whether he can make any further statement?

38. Miss Cazalet

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department who is responsible for the selection of British films which are to be exhibited at the New York World's Fair?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Yes, Sir. As I stated on 29th November in reply to the question by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander), the Joint Committee on Films of the British Council and the Travel and Industrial Development Assoclation of Great Britain and Ireland, has been requested to coordinate the selection of films to be shown in the cinema of the British Pavilion at the New York World's Fair. In this connection the committee has been in close consultation with all sections of the United Kingdom film industry and each section of the industry has been asked to make its contribution to the programmes. It is intended that these shall be varied and designed to secure the widest and most adequate presentation of the United Kingdom to United States audiences. Feature films, news reels, and documentary films will all be represented, and the Special tastes and requirements of United States audiences of all kinds are being carefully borne in mind.

Mr. Day

Can we be assured that the feature films will be made by British companies and producers?

Mr. Hudson

That is one of those matters on which I think the film industry itself can be left to make representations to the committee.