§ 12. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the purchase by television contractors of film companies for the purpose of acquiring films for exhibition on television, he will bring forward legislation to impose upon television authorities similar obligations to those imposed upon cinematograph exhibitors by the Cinematograph Films Acts.
§ Mr. J. RodgersI do not see that the extension of the obligations under the Cinematograph Films Acts would be appropriate.
§ Mr. SwinglerAs it is obvious that an increasing number of films will now be shown on television, which is probably in the interests of viewers, is it not wholly unfair to cinematograph exhibitors that television companies should have no obligation to show a quota of British films or to assist British film production in any way financially, whilst those obligations remain on the cinematograph exhibitors in the state of the decline of the trade?
§ Mr. RodgersSection 3 (1, d) of the Television Act already places upon the Independent Television Authority the duty of satisfying itself that so far as possible a proper proportion of recorded and other matter included in the programmes is of British origin and with British performers. The B.B.C. makes similar arrangements.
§ Mr. SwinglerThat is not specific. The Parliamentary Secretary must know that a quite specific obligation is placed upon cinematograph exhibitors to show a certain quota of British films and a levy is imposed upon them statutorily to assist film production. The same thing should be applied to television companies.
§ Mr. RodgersDetailed questions about the operation of the Television Act are matters for my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General and not for me.