§ 24. Sir R. Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received from cinema licensing authorities to his recent circular urging greater use of their powers to control offensive cinema advertising.
Mr. SharpiesThe circular drew attention to public concern over recent trends in film adversiting and invited local licensing authorities to consider whether they were making adequate use of their powers in this field. It did not call for a reply.
§ Sir R. ThompsonIs my hon. Friend satisfied with what he has just told me? Does not he realise that there is great public concern over this, and if licensing authorities are not prepared on their own account to respond to it and to do what most decent people in the country would recommend, will not the Government take legislative steps to ensure that they do?
§ Mr. SharplesThe circular is concerned with the advertising side and we should give time for its effect to be seen. It was not generally appreciated, probably, by the public that the licensing authorities have this power and it is right that publicity should have been given to it.