§ 11. Mr. Swinglerasked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has now been made in the negotiation of co-production film treaties with European Governments; and when he expects the first treaty to be signed.
§ Mr. GreenThe preparatory work for negotiations is nearly finished and my right hon. Friend hopes very soon to be able to discuss with the film producers and with the Federation of Film Unions his proposed instructions to the British 217 negotiators. So far as the last part of the Question is concerned, this is a matter which still depends on others besides ourselves.
§ Mr. SwinglerCan the Minister of State say why this is taking such a long time? Has it not been many months since this proposal was put forward and, I understand, agreed by practically all sections of the trade? Since certain people abroad, certainly in Italy, have been applying for such a treaty and facilities to be developed, what is the reason for this extraordinary delay?
§ Mr. GreenThe hon. Gentleman was, I think, warned by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on 13th November, 1962, that a number of complications had to be cleared at this end before negotiations with other countries could start. To skimp work on this would only delay the negotiations themselves.