HC Deb 17 June 1948 vol 452 cc625-8
12. Mr. H. D. Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take in the near future to increase the proportion of short films exhibited in British cinemas and to ensure the producers of these films a fair return for their outlay.

Mr. H. Wilson

I have no power to enforce the substitution of short films for long films in cinema programmes, and as at present advised I see no reason to take any steps to do so. I hope, however, that British producers of worthwhile supporting films, long and short, will derive benefit from October onwards from the operation of the new 10s. cost test. The question of terms for the distribution and exhibition of short films will fall to be reviewed by the committee which I intend to set up before the end of the summer.

Mr. Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this important section of the British film industry is in a very difficult situation indeed, and if the committee is not going to start until October the chance of increasing British film production in the supporting programme and making it possible to raise the quota will be very considerably delayed.

Mr. Wilson

The establishment of a quota for this type of film is the first step in a campaign to increase the proportion of screen time taken by films made by this section of the industry as long as the films are of good quality and are of the kind which our people want to see.

Mr. Collins

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that conditions in the industry are such as will permit producers of the short film to fulfil the new 25 per cent. quota of British films?

Mr. Wilson

I would not have fixed the quota were I not satisfied that the films could be produced and shown. I am not yet satisfied that conditions on the distribution side of the industry are such as to guarantee a right outlet for all films that can be produced.

Mr. Edgar Granville

Will the right hon. Gentleman repudiate the statement which has appeared in the Press recently that there was the possibility of some of the cinemas in this country boycotting the type of film in question?

Mr. Wilson

I cannot answer on behalf of the distribution side of the industry, but the settlement of a quota is the best guarantee of showing for the films that can be produced.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

The right hon. Gentleman says that he is satisfied. Is he aware that the great majority of small cinema owners in the country giving about two shows per week hold the view that the new quota will just about ruin them?

Mr. Wilson

This Question did not relate to the quota, and the House will have an opportunity of debating the quota provisions this evening. I am not aware of anything of the kind.

Mr. William Shepherd

In view of the fact that many of the producers of short films will be out of business if they await the full report of the Committee, can the President of the Board of Trade arrange for an interim report on this specific side of the industry to be presented before the main report?

Mr. Wilson

As I said, the fixing of the quota at 25 per cent. is first-aid treatment for this section of the industry. Consequently I have made it clear to the exhibitors that the whole House, judging from the remarks made during the Debate on the Films Bill, would wish to see distributors make arrangements for showing more of these films ahead of that report.

Mr. Hughes

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this section of the industry feel that if they get a fair return and a fair showing they will be able to supply considerably more than the 25 per cent. quota.

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir, I am well aware of that and I made some remarks to that effect during the Debate on the Films Bill. The first step, however, must be to fulfil the 25 per cent. quota.

13. Mr. Wyatt

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the definition of an independent film producer accepted by his Department.

Mr. H. Wilson

None, Sir. Any film producer can call himself independent if he likes, and almost every film producer can have his independence impugned on the ground that, before he can raise his finance, he must get his film accepted by a distributor. Generally speaking, however, I regard a producer as "independent" if he is not financed or controlled by an American company or by a company associated with a circuit.

Mr. Wyatt

Does my right hon. Friend also include within the ambit of his definition of independent producer people who have links with distributing organisations or controls?

Mr. Wilson

If my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind perhaps he will let me know which cases they are.