HC Deb 19 March 1958 vol 584 cc1239-40
2 and 3. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what notice he has given to the Independent Television Authority under Section 9 (2) of the Television Act, 1954, regarding transmissions between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. of material of foreign origin; and

(2) what notice he has given to the British Broadcasting Corporation under Section 15 (4) of the Licence and Agreement regarding transmissions between the hours of 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. of material of foreign origin.

Mr. K. Thompson

None, Sir.

Sir L. Plummer

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General talk to his right hon. Friend and try to convince him that there is a grave crisis in the British film industry; that this crisis is accentuated by the habit of showing old American pictures instead of encouraging the production in British studios of British films? Further, if it is a two-way traffic, as his right hon. Friend said last week, why not encourage it by asking the programme people to give encouragement to British film production here so that they may in turn export their wares abroad?

Mr. Thompson

I think my right hon. Friend is aware, as are other members of the Government, of the difficulties of the British film industry and would be glad to help if they could. Both the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. abide by their undertaking and responsibility to show a proper proportion of British recorded matter in their programmes.