§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)The House, I think, will wish to know that I have now made the necessary Order prescribing the quotas of British films to be shown by exhibitors under the Cinematograph Films Act, 1948. The Order, dated 11th June and made after considering the advice of the Cinematograph Films Council, prescribes 45 as the British quota for first feature films, and 25 as the British quota for the supporting programme. These quotas will operate initially for the quota period of 12 months which begins on 1st October 41 next, and thereafter will remain in force until replaced by a fresh Order, which must give at least six months' notice of the change. The Order will require an affirmative resolution from the House.
§ Mr. William ShepherdIs the President of the Board of Trade able to say that the industry agree that they can supply 45 per cent. of the first feature films required in this country in the next 12 months?
§ Mr. WilsonThis industry never agrees on anything as between producers and exhibitors. If the hon. Gentleman is
§ referring to the producers, well, the producers have gone on record as stating, at the Films Council, that they certainly can honour that quota, and, in fact, a quota higher than that.