§ 29. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will initiate discussions with the United States Government with the object of promoting the exhibition of British films in the United States market and, in particular, of stressing the need for reciprocity in the matter of circuit bookings.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)No, Sir. We are anxious that British pictures should be as widely shown in the United States as possible, but this is not a matter for negotiation between Governments.
§ Mr. SwinglerHas the Board of Trade had any consultations about the matter with film producers in this country? In view of the fact that by negotiation we provide a very large market of circuit bookings for American films in the United Kingdom, and as British film producers advertise in the American Press because their films are boycotted by the American circuits, surely the Government should take action to promote reciprocal arrangements in this way.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe hon. Member will recollect that I told him earlier that the Anglo-American film agreement is not negotiated with the United States Government; nor is it negotiated with the exhibitors in the United States but 990 with the organisations representing producers and distributors, who in the United States are by law separate from the exhibitors.
§ Mr. SwinglerI know that, but why should not the Board of Trade take up with the United States Government the fact that there are serious complaints from British film producers that their films are unfairly boycotted by the American circuits?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe hon. Member must appreciate that the terms of the Anglo-American film agreement provide an incentive for American distributors to acquire the Western hemisphere distribution rights of British films, but it is for them to persuade the American exhibitors to show the films.