HC Deb 31 January 1957 vol 563 cc1145-6
9. Mr. Swingler

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what dates he consulted the Cinematograph Film Council and organisations of the film industry and cinema trade on the contents of the legislation on films foreshadowed in the Gracious Speech; and what recommendations were submitted to him by these bodies on the subjects of the proposed statutory levy and the future of the quota.

The President of the Board of Trade (Sir David Eccles)

The associations represented on the Board of the British Film Production Fund Limited together with the Association of Independent Cinemas were invited on 15th August to let my Department have their views on the proposed statutory levy. The Cinematograph Films Council considered the statement of Government policy which was made on 2nd August at their meeting on 17th September and the Cinematograph Films Bill itself on 10th December. I do not propose to publish the views which have been expressed to me.

I shall later this year be consulting the Cinematograph Films Council and all sections of the industry about detailed amendments to the quota legislation.

Mr. Swingler

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor gave an undertaking early last year that legislation on the levy and on the quota would be brought forward separately? Will he state whether the associations in the trade were invited to submit any amendments to existing quota legislation, as there has now been produced a Bill which simply repeats the existing legislation?

Sir D. Eccles

I am not aware of that undertaking. In any case I intend to have these consultations about amendments to the quota legislation. I find the number of bodies concerned rather bewildering, and it will take me a little time to consult them all.

Commander Donaldson

Can I take it from that answer that my right hon. Friend will keep before him the particular interest and anxiety of the small, independent cinema operators in the rural areas, especially in Scotland, where they are having a very difficult time?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, Sir.