HC Deb 01 March 1955 vol 537 cc1864-5
14. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the dollar expenditure on films imported into the United Kingdom for television purposes;

(2) the dollar expenditure paid for the performance rights of parlour games on television in the United Kingdom.

Mr. R. A. Butler

It is not the practice to give details of foreign exchange facilities provided to particular persons or organisations.

Mr. Langford-Holt

In view of the fact that the Independent Television Authority has now been in existence for nearly a year, is my right hon. Friend not in-accurate in giving that answer? Should he not give now the sort of figures which he has withheld for many years?

Mr. Butler

It is not only I who have withheld them, but it has been the practice not to release them.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is it not a fact that the B.B.C. is not now the only importer of television films, and, therefore, should not my right hon. Friend reconsider the form of this answer, which is now becoming traditional?

Mr. Butler

I can only assess broadly the amount that is made available for these purposes, and I do not think that the point made by my hon. Friend really alters the general sense of the answer which I gave.