HC Deb 24 July 1956 vol 557 cc197-9
33. Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade which organisations in the film industry and cinema trade have made representations to him in favour of the publication of the report of the National Film Finance Corporation on future film policy; and if he will now reconsider the question of publication in view of these representations.

Mr. Walker-Smith

My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association. In addition, the film trade unions in their memorandum to the National Film Finance Corporation, which. was copied to the Board, urged that the Corporation or, if appropriate, the Board, should publish the Corporation's report, together with all memoranda of evidence received from the various trade bodies. However, my right hon. Friend has not so far altered his view that the advice given to him by the Corporation should be treated as confidential.

Mr. Swingler

Will not the Parliamentary Secretary make representations to his right hon. Friend about this matter, in view of the fact that the most important organisations in the trade have now made representations in favour of publication? And as very important decisions about the film quota will be based on this Report in the next few months, surely those who work in the industry are entitled to know what recommendations and conclusions the N.F.F.C. reaches on the basis of their evidence?

Mr. Walker-Smith

All these recommendations are being given, and will be given, very careful consideration. However, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that a wide range of bodies have been consulted, and certainly not all of those expected that the advice which they gave would be liable to publication.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes, but does the hon. and learned Gentleman not recall that the device of using the N.F.F.C. for this purpose was the rather feeble response of the Government to the proposal that we put from this side of the House, namely, that there should now be a full inquiry into all aspects of the film industry in this country, including the serious growth of monopoly in the film industry under the present Government? It is now many years since there was such a comprehensive inquiry and since we had the Plant-Palache Report, the Gater Report and the Plant Report. Does he not feel it is essential therefore, that anything coming out of this inquiry should be made generally available to this House and to the public?

Mr. Walker-Smith

No, Sir. The committee which was proposed by the right hon. Gentleman was rejected for various good and sufficient reasons. This is a different exercise in which the Government are seeking advice so that they can make up their own mind about the right policy to pursue. It by no means follows that all advice tendered to Governments should necessarily be available for publication.