HC Deb 20 December 1938 vol 342 cc2644-6
10 and 11 Vice-Admiral Taylor

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the Cinematograph Films Act has not proved beneficial to the British film industry; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the matter;

(2) whether he is aware that British cinematograph exhibitors are faced with a shortage of feature films, while simultaneously large numbers of persons normally employed in the home studios are out of work owing to the greatly reduced production of such films, due to the lack of financial confidence in the future of the industry; and whether he will take remedial action?

Mr. Stanley

The number of long films, both British and foreign, registered since the beginning of April shows a considerable decrease as compared with the same period last year, and I am aware that exhibitors are complaining of a shortage of feature films. I hope that in these altered conditions, new finance may be attracted to British film production. I cannot admit that the effect of the new legislation has not been beneficial to the industry. The average quality of the British films produced this year has undoubtedly improved, and the decrease in their numbers is due to other circumstances.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is it not the case that if British film production continues as it has been doing during the first eight months of this year, there will be, at the most, only 85 British long films produced in the year, as against 225 last year; that, with the intense American competition, the British film industry cannot exist unless it is protected, and that there is nothing in the Act to encourage British finance to come into the British film industry?

Mr. Stanley

I think there is only one thing which will induce British finance to come into the industry, and that is that the industry should make better films. As I said, there have been signs during the past year that, since the passage of the Act, the quality of the films has improved considerably.

32. Mr. Pilkington

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of British long films registered in the years ended 31st March, 1937, and 31st March, 1938; and the approximate number which it is estimated will be registered in the year ending 31st March, 1939?

Mr. Stanley

In the year ended 31st March, 1937, 225 British long films were registered and in the succeeding year 228. During the present quota year 68 have so far been registered and six applications are under consideration. I am unable to say how many will be registered during the remaining part of the quota year.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

In view of the tremendous unemployment which persists in this industry, will my right hon. Friend consider setting up a commission to investigate the matter?

Mr. Stanley

No, Sir; the recent Act set up a council which will investigate the matter, and they will have to report in a few months' time on the state of the film trade.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Does my right hon. Friend consider that number satisfactory?

Mr. Stanley

No, I should like to see more, but what I consider is satisfactory is that the films which are being produced are better than they used to be.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is it not a fact that last year the number of British films of good quality produced was twice that of this year?

Mr. Stanley

It depends on what is called "good films."

33. Mr. Pilkington

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of films in production in England in December, 1937, and to-day?

Mr. Stanley

I regret that I have no official information about the number of films in production at any given time.

Mr. Pilkington

Though he has not the exact figures, does not my right hon. Friend agree that they have, at any rate, very much decreased in recent months; and in view of that fact, and of the other fact which he gave in the previous answer, can he still say that the Act has had a satisfactory effect upon the industry as a whole, seeing how many fewer people are getting employment in the industry?

Mr. Stanley

I believe it will have a satisfactory effect, but, as I said in answer to an earlier question, the only sound basis for British films is good quality, and in that respect there has been a very substantial advance recently.

34. Mr. Pilkington

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of people employed in film production in this country in December, 1937, and to-day; and what percentage of this number are British?

Mr. Stanley

I am afraid that the information is not available.

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