HC Deb 04 October 1939 vol 351 cc1957-8
68. Sir Adrian Baillie

asked the President of the Board of Trade with reference to the maintenance of adequate protection for the British film industry, whether he can now state what are the various interests that have to be considered before a decision can be reached with regard to the Act of 1938?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Major Lloyd George)

The interests of the industry, of the public who patronise the cinemas, and of the nation at large.

Sir A. Baillie

I do notwant to embarrass my hon. and gallant Friend but could he find out whether any purely British interests in the film industry, either producers, distributors or exhibitors, have in fact made any representations to the Board of Trade to modify the Quota Act?

Major Lloyd George

As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friend has been in close contact with the interests over here since the present position has arisen.

Sir A. Baillie

My question was whether any representations have been made asking for a modification of the Quota Act?

Major Lloyd George

Not that I am aware of.

Colonel Arthur Evans

May I ask whether His Majesty's Government are entirely satisfied that the present Quota Act suits the peculiar situation obtaining in war?

69. Mr. Fleming

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make a statement on the Quota Act as affecting the film industry in Great Britain?

Major Lloyd George

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Tonbridge (Sir A. Baillie) on 28th September. In that answer, he stated that he had already given an assurance to the British films producers that any necessary changes in the present Acts would only be made after further consultation with them and that there would be no avoidable delay in reaching a decision. In the meantime the Act of 1938 is still in force.

Mr. Fleming

Will my hon. and gallant Friend press upon his right hon. Friend, when he is considering the Quota Act, to bear in mind the interests of those employed in the British film industry?

Major Lloyd George

As I have said in a previous answer, those interests are very much in our minds.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Can the industry have an assurance that it will be adequately protected against foreign films?

Mr. Sorensen

If the Quota Act is completely suspended will there be some other kind of protective legislation?

Major Lloyd George

The Quota Act is still in force.