§ 6. Mr. T. Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received any communication from the Films Council relating to variation of the 1862 quota; whether any recommendation is made; and whether the Board of Trade have approved such recommendation or otherwise?
§ Mr. StanleyI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member last Tuesday.
§ Mr. WilliamsHave the Films Council yet discussed this problem, and have the Board of Trade any knowledge of any decision which the council has reached?
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that they have already discussed it and intend to discuss it again. I have no doubt that as soon as they reach a decision they will communicate it to me.
§ Mr. StanleyThey must give adequate consideration to this important matter. Even if they recommend a change and the Government accept it, no change can be made until 1st October next.
§ 11. Mr. Denvilleasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that before the film "Sword of Honour" is permitted to be shown in provincial cinema theatres the Butcher Film Distributors have ordered that every scene showing the Union Jack must be cut out; whether he will ask the Films Advisory Council to inquire what conditions are imposed by distributors on exhibitors and report as to what steps should be taken to put an end to this practice, and in the meantime confer with distributors and exhibitors to ensure that no similar conditions should be imposed in future?
§ Mr. StanleyI understand that the distributors concerned have issued a statement to the effect that no such instructions were given. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. DenvilleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the film distributors have passed on the blame to the renters and exhibitors who indignantly deny any objection to the title or the Union Jack?
§ Mr. StanleyEveryone seems to have denied everything.