HC Deb 24 October 1956 vol 558 cc616-7
9. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the film about Calder Hall, entitled "Atomic Achievement," made by the Central Office of Information and sponsored by the Foreign, Colonial, and Commonwealth Relations Departments, has been dubbed in only 12 languages, not including Russian, Chinese, or Japanese; and if, in view of the high proportion of the world's population who speak Russian, Chinese, and Japanese and whom Her Majesty's Government should seek to interest in British achievements, he will take steps to have the film dubbed in these languages.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

This film has not yet been dubbed into any foreign language. It is, however, our intention to dub it into at least 11 languages of countries where the Foreign Office Information Service has facilities, including Japanese, but not Russian or Chinese as we have no facilities in the Soviet Union or in China for distributing films of this nature.

Mr. Swingler

Why prevent 800 million people from seeing this record of British initiative in the peaceful uses of atomic energy? Surely the Government should be keen to sell this film, which is an exceptional record, to the Soviet Union and China? That cannot, obviously, be done unless it is in a language which the peoples of those countries understand. Would it not, therefore, be a good idea to make the film suitable, at very small cost, for those people and to try to get it shown in countries where it might have a significant effect?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

There is no reason to believe that, under existing agreements, the Soviet Union or China would distribute the film as widely as the hon. Member implies it should be.

Mr. Dudley Williams

In view of the confusion which exists in the mind of a distinguished American, would my hon. Friend make certain that at least one of these films is dubbed in the American language?

Mr. Younger

Can the Joint Under-Secretary of State tell us whether there has recently been any attempt to get the facilities that would be necessary for the distribution of this film or films of any kind in the Soviet Union and China?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

We are looking at that constantly.