§ 19. Mr. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that three cinemas have recently been closed down in Leicester, namely, the Floral Hall, seating 750, the Star, seating 660, and the Tudor, seating 932, and that, during the last six months, cinemas have also closed in Market Harborough, Auster and Mountsorrel, Leicestershire; what is the position in other parts of the country; and what steps he proposes to prevent a further decline of the industry.
§ Mr. J. RodgersMy right hon. Friend is aware that many cinemas in all parts of the country have closed; the provisional total of cinema closures in Great Britain in 1958 is 260. The principal causes are the change in public habits, and decline in the popularity of cinema going. The Government cannot control public taste.
§ Mr. JannerThat Answer will not do. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in addition to the particulars I have already given him, a large cinema in Leicester—the Regal—is being offered for sale at about half its original purchase price; that the film production industry is being affected very seriously because cinemas are being closed down, and that this Entertainments Duty is a real discrimination against this industry? Is he further aware that it is mainly because of the duty, and not particularly because of the changing tastes of the people, that they are in this serious position? Will he do something about it?
§ Mr. RodgersThe Government cannot force people to go to the cinema if they prefer to spend their money in some other way. We are taking lots of steps to support the British film production side of the industry. Any question relating to Entertainments Duty is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and not for me.