§ 14. Mr. Swinglerasked the President df the Board of Trade why he decided to reject the Cinematograph Films Council's advice on the film quota for supporting programmes for 1964.
§ Mr. ErrollAlteration of the quota figure appeared unnecessary because performance is already well above the proposed increased requirement, and undesirable because of the difficulties with which 179 the proposed increase would have faced some of the smaller exhibitors.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs not that self-defeating? So long as we have the quota system, should not it be the object to give a stimulus to the production and exhibition of British films? Is not the quota already very low, and, as the Cinematograph Films Council is a representative body of both producers and exhibitors, how came it that the right hon. Gentleman felt that he could overrule its recommendations?
§ Mr. ErrollThe Council makes recommendations, but I have to make the decisions. The fact is that, while the current quota is 25 per cent., the overall performance in 1961–62 was 44 per cent.—proof, surely, of how well the British film industry is doing. Also, I have to take into account the difficulties of the smaller exhibitors, which used to be the subject of a great deal of anxious debate in the House. I think that it is only right, therefore, to keep the quota at 25 per cent. It in no way harms British film production and makes the life of the small exhibitors somewhat less difficult.