§ 41. Lord Balnielasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement on the future policy of the Government towards film production.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes, Sir. The Government have come to certain broad conclusions, which I propose to announce now so that film producers will know what forms of assistance they can expect in the future. In the first place, steps will be taken in due course to extend the exhibitors' quota beyond its termination in October, 1958. In the second place, the powers of the National Film Finance Corporation to make loans, which expire in March of next year, will be renewed. In the third place, a statutory scheme, comparable in purpose with the British Film Production Fund, will be brought into operation when the present voluntary scheme lapses in October, 1957.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the right hon. Gentleman say what this means so 1589 far as the British Film Production Fund is concerned? Will more money be available or less?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftIt will be a scheme comparable in scale to the present voluntary scheme.
§ Mr. BottomleyWhile expressing dissatisfaction that the announcement should be made on the last day before the Recess, may I say that, as far as can be seen at the moment, we on this side of the House welcome the proposition of the right hon. Gentleman?