§ 39. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he made of the minimum number of films which must be produced annually for the maintenance of the existing quotas, taking into account the need to offer a reasonable choice to exhibitors; and what steps he took to satisfy himself that facilities exist for the production of this number before fixing the existing quota.
§ Mr. H. StraussUnder the Cinematograph Films Act, 1948, the Board of Trade determine the quotas after consulting the Cinematograph Films Council, which my right hon. Friend is satisfied takes all relevant considerations into account.
§ Mr. SwinglerAs the President of the Board of Trade referred to the Cinematograph Films Council and to the deterioration in the facilities for film production, may I ask whether the hon. and learned Gentleman is not aware of the number of studios that have been sold out of the film industry for commercial television? Was that one of the factors taken into consideration in calculating the possibilities of film production in the next 12 months?
§ Mr. StraussThe selling of studios has been dealt with in a previous answer to the hon. Member. I would refer him to Section 2 of the 1948 Act, where he will see that these matters are considered by the Cinematograph Films Council, which gives its view to the President of the Board of Trade. The President has acted on that view.