§ 32. Mr. Emeryasked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of foreign currency earned by British films during 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.
The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Enroll)As the Answer is long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. EmeryI thank my hon. Friend for the Answer which I have not yet seen. Would he use all his influence to see that every possible aid is given by our embassies and consulates for the furtherance of the sale of British films abroad?
§ Mr. ErrollBritish commercial officers abroad give all assistance in the promotion of British film exports.
§ Following is the information:
§ The overseas earnings of British films actually remitted to the United Kingdom were as follows:
| 1956 | … | … | … | £3,972,000 |
| 1957 | … | … | … | £4,553,000 |
| 1958 | … | … | … | £5,061,000 |
§ Similar figures for 1959 are not yet available, but it is hoped to publish them shortly. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the figures when they are published.
§ These figures cover remittances in respect of direct distribution expenses and of rents, royalties and sales of rights in films; they do not include the earnings of films specifically made for television but include the earnings of films made primarily for cinema distribution but sold abroad to television interests.