HC Deb 13 February 1948 vol 447 cc707-9
Mr. Belcher

I beg to move, in page 3, line 38, to leave out "subsection (1)."

This Amendment gives effect to a promise made during the Committee stage, It will remove from the Bill the provisions which exempt from the quota the small cinemas with net weekly takings of less than £100. At a later stage, we shall move an Amendment to bring in these cinemas in certain instances where they are in a highly competitive situation.

Earl Winterton (Horsham)

In order to save the time of the House, I should like to thank the right hon. Gentleman for having met what was obviously the general consensus of opinion by putting down these Amendments.

Amendment agreed to.

Mr. Wilson

I beg to move, in page 4, line 4, to leave out from "that," to "theatres," in line 5, and to insert: films are so exhibited at not less than two other. This Amendment was pressed for by the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) at an earlier stage. We are now providing that if there are two strong near competitors instead of three, the exhibitor will qualify to apply for a reduction. Whether or not an applicant who can point to two nearby exhibitors can make his point, will depend on local circumstances. This Subsection is permissive and not mandatory, as is the case of the smaller unit.

Mr. W. Fletcher

I should like to thank the right hon. Gentleman for having considered the matter, and for having agreed to the suggestion which was made. He is perfectly right in saying that this does not in any way give a right to the exhibitor, but only gives him an opportunity to have his case examined.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 4, line 8, leave out from "applicant," to end of line.

In line 9, after second "films," insert "are exhibited."—[Mr. Wilson.]

Mr. H. Wilson

I beg to move, in page 4, line 20, at the end, to insert: (4) If upon application made to them as mentioned in subsection (2) of this section not less than three months before the beginning of any quota period the Board are satisfied—

  1. (a) that the theatre to which the application relates fulfils the conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection; and
  2. b) that the average net box office receipts of the theatre during the year ending six months before the beginning of that quota period did not exceed one hundred pounds per week,
the Board shall direct that the foregoing provisions of this Act shall not apply to the exhibition of films at that theatre during that quota period. This Amendment deals with the point about the small cinema. There is a slight difference in treatment here from that in the case of the larger cinemas. In this case they will get relief, and it is not merely permissive on the Board of Trade to give relief. This Amendment fits in with the general wish of the House. It was felt that it would make the quotas more effective and give them more bite. It also meets the point made by hon. Members, that in certain parts of the country cinemas might be in a monopoly position to deny British cinemagoers the right to see British films. We have provided that the small cinemas genuinely in a difficult competitive position can and will get relief.

Amendment agreed to.