§ 7. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has noted that cinema admissions have fallen in the first quarter of this year, as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, from 264 million to 199.3 million; and to what extent the figures in his possession for the second quarter of this year show a continuing fall in admissions.
§ Sir D. EcclesI am aware of these figures. It looks as though the decline in the second quarter will not be quite so steep.
§ Mr. RankinNevertheless, the decline will still remain and, therefore, the overall decline for the half-year must be seriously perturbing the right hon. Gentleman's mind. Is not that the case? Does he realise that the figures show that despite the reduction, the impact of tax is crushing the industry? Will he think about doing something as early as possible in connection with this serious fall?
§ Sir D. EcclesI agree that the decline is serious, but we cannot control public taste and we have given practical help in the Budget.