HC Deb 06 May 1953 vol 515 cc387-8
75. Mr. Stokes

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he is aware that arrangements have been made either to loan a Royal Air Force Canberra aircraft to the United States Air Force to fly films of the Coronation to the United States of America on behalf of United States companies, or for the Royal Air Force to do so direct on their behalf, thereby delivering films to the United States of America ahead of British companies, who have not been offered the same facilities; and why this preference is being shown to the United States film industry to the disadvantage of the British.

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. George Ward)

There has never been any intention to use Royal Air Force aircraft to fly cinematograph films of the Coronation across the Atlantic on behalf of United States film companies. At the request of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, however, arrangements have been made with the British Broadcasting Corporation for Canberra aircraft of Bomber Command, in co-operation with the Royal Canadian Air Force, to fly television recordings of the Coronation to Canada in order that the ceremony may be televised from Montreal on the evening of Coronation Day. I understand that these recordings will also be made available to United States television networks through the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Mr. Stokes

Does the Minister mean that there is no preference whatsoever being given to American companies over British companies who desire to have at least the same facilities for getting their films across the Atlantic as are now being offered to the Americans?

Mr. Ward

The Royal Air Force are flying television films to Canada at the request of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and they are being made available to the United States television networks under their own arrangements.

Mr. Stokes

But that is most unsatisfactory. Does the Minister mean that he has received no applications from British television companies to send films across and that he has received an application only from Canadian television companies?

Mr. Ward

Yes.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Can my hon. Friend say whether in the films that will be flown to the United States any mention will be made of the British contribution to the Coronation ceremony?