§ 36. Mr. Sorensenasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention 1559 has been drawn to the comments of the Controller-General of Factory and Storage Premises respecting the Report of the Cinematograph Film Council; whether that Report has now been considered by him; when he is likely to make a pronouncement on the matter; and will he then indicate his own views on the matter.
§ Mr. DaltonThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." In reply to the rest of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 26th September to my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Sudbury (Colonel Burton) and Wellingborough (Wing-Commander James).
§ Mr. SorensenDoes my right hon. Friend not think that critical comments of this nature should not be made by a gentleman occupying that office?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir; I welcome comments from all quarters on films. We still have a system of free speech in this country, and I think it is very advantageous that anybody who has anything to say about films, particularly if he has any knowledge of the subject, should be free to do so.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes that apply to one who is involved, and whose duty is to support a point of view with which he is associated?