§ 33. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage change in cinema admissions in the first quarter of 1958 compared with the same quarter of 1957; and what indication he will give of the pattern of attendances after the first quarter of 1958.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganStatistics of cinema admissions in the first quarter of 1958 are not yet complete but preliminary estimates indicate that they were over 20 per cent. lower than in the corresponding quarter of 1957. As regards the second part of the Question, I cannot make a forecast of cinema attendances.
§ Mr. RankinCan the Minister say when the Government mean to temper the wind to the shorn lamb? Does not he realise that the figures we have at present indicate that attendances this year will reach a new low of 17 million? Does not that indicate that a reduction in tax is no solution, and that the industry can be saved only by the abolition of this tax?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThat question raises rather different issues. The hon. Member asked me to make a forecast—and it depends on a good many factors, not excluding the weather and the quality of the films.