HC Deb 25 February 1953 vol 511 c2056
5. Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if he will arrange for the Service Ministries to release their wartime news films to the British Broadcasting Corporation or other documentary producers so that British films "Victory in the Air" and "Victory on Land" may be produced in order to balance the American production "Victory at Sea."

Mr. Birch

Yes, Sir. I understand that the War Office and the Air Ministry have already offered the B.B.C. the use of their war-time film material for the production of programmes of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind, and that the B.B.C. has the matter under active consideration.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Is my hon. Friend aware that the B.B.C. submitted proposals in 1946 and 1947 with a view to obtaining these films, but that such high prices were charged that the proposition was dropped, and that it will give great satisfaction that a saner view now prevails?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is there not an excellent war-time film of the Prime Minister meeting Marshal Stalin in Moscow, Yalta and Tehran, and could not the B.B.C. be asked to exhibit the film on television so that we may know there is a precedent for these gentlemen meeting again?

Mr. Birch

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that up to the B.B.C.