HC Deb 26 February 1964 vol 690 cc424-6
20. Mr. Swingler

asked the Postmaster-General what consultations he has had with interested bodies about the exhibition of feature films on pay television; and what conditions he proposes to lay down in this respect.

Mr. Bevins

As I told the House on 11th December, I am in consultation on the matter with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development, who is obtaining the views of the cinema industry. I have also received comments from the pay television companies. Pending the completion of these consultations I am not in a position to say what the conditions will be.

Mr. Swingler

Will the right hon. Gentleman clarify the situation by saying whether it is his intention, having consulted the interested bodies in the trade, and presumably the Cinematograph Films Council, to lay down conditions about the exhibition of feature films during the experimental pay-television period?

Mr. Bevins

It is common ground on both sides of the House that there must be some safeguards. Clearly, the normal access of cinemas to cinema films must be safeguarded but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, the cinema industry is a fairly complex organisation and it may take a little time to secure agreement on this requirement.

Mr. Mason

If during the experimental period the right hon. Gentleman agrees that relatively new films which have gone around the circuits can go on pay television, am I to understand that the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. will be allowed to do the same?

Mr. Bevins

That is quite a separate question.

Mr. Swingler

Will the right hon. Gentleman make this point clear, because it is not a separate question? As my hon. Friend points out, does it not also concern the exhibition of feature films on pay television? Is it a fact that he has already agreed that feature films which have been released to the circuits in the normal way in the cinema trade will be available to be shown on experimental pay television, and will the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. be able to show them in the same way and under the same conditions?

Mr. Bevins

I have already made it clear that we have not yet finalised the safeguards that should apply in the case of pay television. The subject of the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. is not included in this Question, which is limited to pay television.

Mr. Mason

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not allow pay television the sole right to exhibit relatively new films but that the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. will also have the opportunity to show them, if he eventually agrees to this?

Mr. Bevins

The first part of the hon. Member's last question is currently under discussion.