HC Deb 18 June 1964 vol 696 cc1455-6
7. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will raise the film quota to 40 per cent. for the forthcoming year.

Mr. Heath

No, Sir. I have decided to accept the advice of the Cinematograph Films Council to maintain the prescribed quotas at 30 per cent. for first feature films and 25 per cent. for the supporting programme for the exhibitors' quota year beginning the 1st January, 1965.

Forty-five per cent. of the first feature films shown by the two major circuit companies in 1963 were British. Both these companies announced at the end of last year that they were reasonably confident that this would be the case in 1964. They have now informed me that on the assumption that British films continue to be available in sufficient numbers and quality, they expect this position to continue in 1965.

Mr. Swingler

In view of what the right hon. Gentleman has said and the fact that it appears that the major circuits have no difficulty in fulfilling their quota of more than 40 per cent., is this not an unrealistic decision? Is not the object of the quota to stimulate film production? Would he not, therefore, consider raising the quota so that there will be more film production and the circuits will be able to fulfil a bigger quota?

Mr. Heath

No, Sir. The answer which I have given can give confidence to the British film production industry. Two circuits require its films and want them to be available in sufficient numbers and quality. Therefore, we get the result that we wanted to achieve without any of the international disadvantages involved in altering the quota.

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