§ 3. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations in the film industry about the future of the British Film Production Fund since 10th March.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)No, Sir. As I have made clear to the hon. Member on previous occasions, the Government will be ready with a statutory scheme in good time should it prove necessary.
§ Mr. SwinglerWould the right hon. Gentleman say how long these negotiations are going on or what are the prospects now of securing a voluntary agreement about the future of the Eady Levy?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo. I think that it is much better to leave it to the industry to conduct the negotiations.
§ Mr. SwinglerHow long?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI cannot say.