§ 2. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be in a position to announce the formation of a new company to take over certain functions of the British Lion Film Corporation.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI cannot yet say when the new company will be formed.
§ Mr. SwinglerWould the Minister explain why there has been such a long delay since the statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary on 1st June about this new company? Are we to take it that there is some disagreement between the Government and the National Film Finance Corporation about the establishment of the new film company?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThere is no disagreement. This is a matter which is being discussed between the receiver and the Finance Corporation.
Mr. H. WilsonDoes this mean, as some of us on this side think, that the Government are capitulating to the pressure of the big circuits regarding the future of British Lion?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe Film Producers' Association has just issued a Press notice to say that it thinks it a good thing a to have a third distribution company.