§ 15. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the proposals about the film industry put forward by a deputation from the Trades Union Congress which he received on 14th November, 1952, in particular concerning the desirability of discriminatory tax relief in favour of British producers; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftMany matters affecting the film industry were discussed during my meeting with representatives of the Trades Union Congress on 14th November last, and I should like to take this opportunity of saying how much I valued the chance of hearing their views on this important subject.
The question of discriminatory taxation was mentioned during the meeting and I drew attention to the substantial difficulties which would be involved in any such proposal.
§ Mr. SwinglerDid not the Minister discuss with this deputation the so-called Italian scheme, and has he given serious consideration to the introduction of a scheme on those lines in this country? Would not this be a considerable advance which would enable him to do away with the paraphernalia of quotas and subsidies?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNaturally, I have given careful consideration to the many suggestions for discriminatory taxation which have been made, but I must say that neither the producers, the distributors nor the exhibitors in the industry, who are well aware of the difficulties, have made representations to me on this matter.
§ Mr. SwinglerBut is not it a fact that the exhibitors are now discussing with the film industry the so-called Italian scheme, and that more and more people are convinced that such a scheme which would give a direct financial incentive to exhibitors and producers and encouragement to British films might be a solution to the present problem?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftMany discussions are going on inside the industry, but I repeat that no representations have been made to me upon this subject yet.