HC Deb 20 June 1939 vol 348 cc2189-90

Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 69.

[Sir DENNIS HERBERT in the Chair.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session relating to Scarce, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any expenses incurred by the Board of Education in certifying cinematograph films to be of an educational character for the purpose of the allowance of rebates of Customs and Excise duties."—(King's Recommendation signified.) —[Captain Crookshank.]

11.55 p.m.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crookshank)

The object of this Resolution is to open the way to a discussion of an Amendment on this subject during the Committee proceedings on the Finance Bill. The Resolution deals with the certification of educational films and is required because, at the moment, the Board of Education are empowered under Clause 7 of the Finance Bill, 1935, to deal with this certification, and by the Amendment to which I have referred we propose to ask for powers to extend the functions of the Board of Education over and above what they now do, by certifying educational films for rebates of Customs and Excise. There is involved, in form, an expenditure of public money, and that it why this Resolution is required. Hitherto the Board of Education have received a small fee upon an application for certification, and that is appropriated in aid. If the Committee accept our proposals it is intended that the same practice shall apply in this case.

Mr. Pethick-Lawrence

I believe that this proposal is supported in all parts of the Committee and, subject to the later discussion on the Finance Bill, we offer no objection to it, at this stage.

Resolved, That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session relating to finance, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of any expenses incurred by the Board of Education in certifying cinematograph films to be of an educational character for the purpose of the allowance of rebates of Customs and Excise duties.

Resolution to be reported To-morrow.