§ 18. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the value of British film exports to the countries of the Common Market in each of the last ten years; and what effect the Treaty of Rome has had on these exports.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe earnings of British films in the countries of the Common Market are not separately distinguished. Such figures relating to earnings remitted from the O.E.E.C. countries as a group as are available do not suggest that the Treaty of Rome has adversely affected these earnings.
§ 19. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions are at present imposed on the import of British films by the countries of the Common Market; what quota arrangements they maintain; and how these arrangements compare with the British film quota system.
§ Mr. MaudlingWest Germany applies a system of import licences. The Benelux countries impose no restrictions on the import or showing of British films. France operates a system of distribution licences and levies a special release tax. Italy imposes compulsory loans on dubbed British films. France and Italy both apply screen quotas. No general comparison can usefully be made between these diverse arrangements and the British film quota system.
§ Mr. SwinglerArising out of that reply, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman this supplementary question: in the event of the Government deciding to join the Common Market, what effect would this have upon the British quota and levy system which we have developed?
§ Mr. MaudlingThat is a different and rather wider question. If the hon. Member puts it down I will be happy to try to answer it.