§ 17. Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at R.A.F. station Sharjam, Persia, no films were received between 1st and 21st October; that when three films then arrived they had all been shown there during the previous two months; and, as this is the only form of entertainment, why these shows were free up to 1st September and now cost 9d. a projection.
§ Mr. de FreitasYes, Sir. I am afraid that at a time when we were re-organising the distribution of films for the Royal Air Force as a whole, a mistake was made in getting films to this station, which I should add is not in Persia. We are now making our film service self-supporting, and all stations are therefore having to make a small charge for admission.
§ Mr. TeelingWhy have small charges now to be made, whereas in wartime and later on no charges were made?
§ Mr. de FreitasDuring the war the film companies were able to give us their films free or very cheaply, but they are not doing so now.
§ Mr. H. HyndIf finance enters into this, will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that the Government recently came into an unexpected £150 at Rotherhithe yesterday?