HC Deb 26 June 1952 vol 502 c2432
41. Mr. R. Harris

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the public interest in the Soviet film, "The Fall of Berlin," what reciprocal arrangements are in force for showing British films in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 19th June.

Mr. Harris

Is it not possible to inform the Soviet Government that while we are always glad to see Russian films in this country, we would expect the Russian Government to take steps to see that British films are shown in Russia, not necessarily of a propaganda nature, but those which show English life at its best?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is it not a fact that the most popular play in Moscow at the present time is Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion"?

Mr. Bottomley

Would not the Minister agree that the showing of the film "The Fall of Berlin" should be encouraged as a means of stopping the growth of Stalinism?