HC Deb 13 February 1948 vol 447 cc709-10

Amendment made: In page 5, line 5, leave out "year", and insert "quota period"—[Mr. H. Wilson.]

11.30 a.m.

Mr. W. Fletcher

I beg to move, in page 5, line 8, to leave out "Board", and to insert "Cinematograph Films Council".

I do not wish to weary the House with the arguments which were adduced on this, subject at an earlier stage, but we still believe that the right body to act in this matter is the Films Council, largely because there is such a considerable proportion of independent representation which, I am now glad to see, is to be increased from five to seven.

Commander Galbraith (Glasgow, Pollok)

I beg to second the Amendment.

Mr. H. Wilson

I hope this Amendment will not be pressed, because its effect would be to take responsibility for appointing, members of the Selection Committee from the Board of Trade, and transfer it to the Council. I am not at all clear what would be the value of that. I know that one or two Members opposite had in mind the danger—very remote, I think—that the President of the Board of Trade, or a future President, might appoint a Selection Committee which would be of such a character and complexion as might be likely to direct the showing of a number of films for their propaganda value. We have already given a specific assurance on that, and we have gone further by proposing an Amendment to ensure that these films shall be shown by reason of their entertainment value, which may not at all be the same as their propaganda value.

If the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) thinks that a future President might pack the Selection Committee he cannot really be reassured, even if his Amendment is accepted, as the President can appoint the Films Council and could pack the Selection Committee after he had carefully packed the Films Council to his own choosing. We have, of course, no intention of packing either the Films Council or the Selection Committee. The membership of the present Selection Committee, which is widely representative of different points of view, should reassure the hon. Gentleman on this point.

Mr. W. Fletcher

In view of the tortuous—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member cannot make a second speech at this stage.

Mr. Fletcher

I beg to ask leave to withdraw the Amendment.

Amendment, by leave withdrawn.

Amendment made: In page 5, line 8, at end, insert: by reason of their entertainment value. (3) A direction given by the Board under any such condition as aforesaid shall be without prejudice to the requirements imposed on the exhibitor by section one of this Act, but any film exhibited in compliance with such a direction shall be taken into account for the purposes of subsection (2) of that section."—[Mr. H. Wilson.]