§ 23. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a general direction to the National Film Finance Corporation to use its powers to set up a corporate body for the purpose of acquiring film studios.
§ Mr. CorfieldThe National Film Finance Corporation has not the power to establish a body corporate for the purpose of acquiring film studios. My right hon. Friend cannot, therefore, give a direction in the sense proposed.
§ Mr. JenkinsI did not ask the Minister of State to give a direction. I asked about what I believe to be the mistaken restrictions that he suggests exist upon the powers of the National Film Finance Corporation. Although, as I say, I believe his reply to be inaccurate, it was not as unsympatheic as it might have been, so will he look into the question again?
§ Mr. CorfieldI can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have looked at the legal position very carefully, and I think it is clear that as the National Film Finance Corporation has not the power to buy film studios, it must follow that it cannot set up subsidiary bodies to do what it is itself not allowed to do.