15. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the Middle East contractor cinemas often exhibit to the troops very undesirable films; that they charge higher admission fees than is necessary and though rebates are made this makes the troops pay for their own welfare; and will he consider buying out the contractor cinemas and placing the whole of the film distribution for the troops in the hands of E.N.S.A.
§ Sir J. GriggThe cinema shows given by the contractors in Egypt are undoubtedly inferior in quality to the shows given by E.N.S.A. though there is no evidence that they are otherwise undesirable. The prices charged for them are higher than E.N.S.A.'s. The possibility of acquiring the circuit of the principal contractor has been considered, but it is unlikely that he will sell at a price which could be called reasonable.
§ Sir J. GriggI am not going to ask anyone to pay blackmail to a cinema proprietor in Cairo.