§ 27. Mr. F. M. Bennettasked the President of the Board of Trade how many dollars have been earned by the exhibition of British films in the United States of America during 1952, 1953, and 1954; and how many dollars have been expended by this country in the same periods for United States films exhibited here.
§ Mr. H. StraussNo reliable figures are available of dollars earned in the United States from the exhibition of British films. The figures asked for in the second part of the Question are $24.16 million, $22.68 million and $25.2 million.
§ Mr. BennettI am afraid that because of the laughter from the Opposition side of the House I did not hear a single word of the Minister's answer.
§ Mr. StraussShall I repeat it?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do ask the House to keep some order in this matter.
§ Mr. StraussI said that no reliable figures are available of dollars earned in the United States from the exhibition of British films. The figures asked for in the second part of the Question are $24.16 million, $22.68 million and $25.2 million.
§ Mr. BennettWhile awaiting any more figures that may be given, would not my hon. and learned Friend confirm that we earned far fewer dollars in the United States than we paid out to the United States in that period? If my assumption 182 is correct, may I ask whether it is not time to expect some reasonable reciprocity in this matter?
§ Mr. StraussI should be happy to explain to my hon. Friend why the figures are not available. I certainly agree with him that we desire all possible facilities for British films in the United States, but I do not think, when my hon. Friend considers the relative sizes of the two industries, that he can expect exact correspondence.