HC Deb 09 March 1960 vol 619 cc404-5
12. Mr. Swingler

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the purchase of film companies by television contractors, if he will bring forward legislation to apply to television authorities similar obligations to those imposed upon cinema exhibitors by the Cinematograph Films Act in respect of the exhibition of films.

Mr. Bevins

No, Sir.

Mr. Swingler

Will not the Postmaster-General consider this question seriously? Is he aware that exhibitors of films in cinemas are subject to tax, censorship, quota restrictions and a statutory levy? The exhibitors of films on television are subject to none of those things and, moreover, make huge profits out of it. This is grossly unfair. Will not the Postmaster-General use his influence in the Government either to abolish these statutory obligations on cinematograph exhibitors or to equalise them with television contractors?

Mr. Bevins

There are two parts to this question. The first is the question of the payment of a levy by television contractors. That is not a matter for me but for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. Swingler

The President of the Board of Trade said that it was a matter for the right hon. Gentleman. That is what he told me.

Mr. Bevins

I do not accept responsibility for that statement. The other, and perhaps more important, question is that of the percentage of English and foreign film material which is shown on television. I have made inquiries on that, and I am assured by the Independent Television Authority that the proportion of British film material is well over the 30 per cent. required in the cinema industry. As the 55 films which have been purchased by one of the undertakings are British films, there is every reason to suppose that that percentage will increase.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the inequity of exhibitors having to finance the production of films in this country which are then sold to the Independent Television Authority which pays no levy in order to produce them?

Mr. Bevins

I certainly see the point made by the hon. Gentleman and by the right hon. Gentleman, but I reiterate that it is not a matter for the Postmaster-General.