Production Fund (Continuance)

HC Deb 10 March 1953 vol 512 cc1110-2

15. Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he will take to arrest the decline of the British film industry, in view of uncertainty about the future of the British Film Production Fund and declining attendances at cinemas.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion that there has been a decline in British film production.

Mr. Swingler

Has not the right hon. Gentleman had his attention drawn to the recent statement of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on the declining revenue from Entertainments Duty, which the Financial Secretary admitted was partly due to a decrease in attendances at the cinemas, and will he say whether he will enter into discussions now with the Chancellor about this aspect of the matter? Also, would he, perhaps, make an announcement about the quota and the Eady Levy?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Questions of revenue, of course, should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I am happy to say that the forward bookings of films at present are looking healthier than they have for some time.

21. Mr. O'Brien

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the future of the British Film Production Fund.

27. Mr. Shepherd

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the continuing uncertainty as to the future of the Eady scheme is having serious effects upon the forward prospects of British film production; and whether he is now able to say when a decision will be announced.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that support for British film production of the kind provided by the British Film Production Fund should continue after August, 1954, when the present scheme is due to end. I think it desirable that extension of the scheme for a period of at least three years should be achieved, if possible, by voluntary agreement within the industry. I hope that such agreement will be forthcoming; but I am convinced that the production of British films must be maintained by some such means, and, if need be, the Government will be prepared to seek powers to institute a statutory scheme.

Mr. O'Brien

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his helpful and welcome reply, may I ask him if he will undertake to secure a voluntary agreement between the various sections of the trade and impress upon those sections the need for such a voluntary agreement before he decides to embark on legislation?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Certainly I should very much prefer a voluntary agreement, but I have made this statement in order to give that assurance which, I think, is necessary to the production end that some such arrangements as the Eady Scheme will go on.

Mr. Shepherd

As it is quite certain that some of the delays are due to the fact that there are negotiations going on with the Treasury about the Entertainments Duty, will my right hon. Friend co-operate with the Chancellor with a view to trying to ensure there is no delay after the notification of the Budget details?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I regard the continuation of the British Film Production Scheme as something quite separate from the question of the level of Entertainments Duty, which must be judged every year upon its merits.

Mr. Gaitskell

While welcoming the statement of the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask if he is satisfied that three years is really long enough for this purpose? Will he, particularly if legislation is necessary, consider extending that to, say, five years, or even longer?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I will certainly bear the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind, but I think in principle we agree that an adequate period of security in this matter should be laid down in advance, preferably by voluntary agreement.

Mr. Swingler

As the negotiations for a voluntary agreement have been going on for some months, would the right hon. Gentleman say what is the principal obstacle which prevents a voluntary agreement being arrived at, since negotiations have been going on for more than six months?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I do not think it would be helpful if I started to throw obstacles between the parties to a voluntary agreement. I think the best thing I can do is to encourage them to bring them to a head and offer any assistance that lies within my power.