§ 7. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Works the cost of the facilities he has provided for filming the Coronation ceremony and procession; and what financial arrangements have been made with the film companies concerned.
§ Mr. EcclesThe cost of all constructional work in the Abbey and on the route of the processions to provide facilities for newsreels, Press and B.B.C. is estimated roughly to be £11,000. It is proposed to recover this expenditure from the interests concerned, but the apportionment between the various publicity services has not yet been determined.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the right hon. Gentleman be a little more forthcoming in saying how many film companies have been given the right to operate in the Abbey itself, and what steps he has taken to insure that the actual film, or the monopoly of the film, of the Coronation ceremony is not exploited for private gain?
§ Mr. EcclesThat is quite a different question, and in any case the facilities in the Abbey are not my responsibility.
§ Mr. Hector HughesCan the Minister say whether the cost to which he referred includes the cost of the distribution of films throughout North-East Scotland to which the Postmaster-General so contumaciously refused television facilities?
§ Mr. EcclesI am referring only to the cost of placing the cameras in position to take the films.