§ 34. Mr. Swinglerasked the Postmaster-General if he will consult the Cinematograph Films Council about the terms and conditions for the exhibition of feature films on experimental pay-television services.
§ Mr. BevinsConsultation with the Cinematograph Films Council is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development. Because of the Board of Trade's concern with the film industry I am, as I told the House on 11th December, consulting my right hon. Friend about the showing of cinema films on pay-television.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the Postmaster-General aware that the Films Council is about to report to his right hon. Friend on the subject of monopoly practices in the cinema trade and is faced with serious and considerable complaints about the long delays in releasing British films? Will he, therefore, keep an open mind about the terms and conditions of showing feature films on pay-television because of the assistance which might be given to the film-producing industry?
§ Mr. BevinsI do not want to encroach on the domain of my right hon. Friend, but I freely admit that this is a difficult and complicated matter and I shall certainly have regard to the considerations which the hon. Member has mentioned.