§ 2.30 p.m.
§ Mr. Anthony Grant (Harrow, Central)Before you took the Chair, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I gave notice to Mr. Speaker that I intended to raise the subject of the threatened closure of the Shepperton film studios. A little less than an hour ago I informed the office of the Secretary of State for Trade which told me that it would seek to have a Minister available. I appreciate that it is short notice to get a busy Minister to attend the House, but it often happened to me when I was a Minister, and it is necessary for Ministers to observe the possibility of debates finishing early and therefore having to deal with Adjournment debates.
If the Department of Trade and Industry had not been split by the present Government, there might be more Ministers available to attend the debate. But in the circumstances it would be wrong for me to occupy the time of the House by talking in a vacuum, in the Minister's absence. Although I may be acting more charitably than some Labour Members were when the Conservative Government first came to office, I do not intend to pursue the matter, except to alert the Minister to the fact that it causes great anxiety.
It was reported in the Press yesterday that the Shepperton studios were likely to be closed. That is a matter of great concern to the workers and others engaged in the industry there, and to the residents of the area. It is also of great concern to my right hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Atkins), who has taken a great interest in the matter, and to all who are concerned with the British film industry and its continuing 845 good name. Some of the most famous films in the world have been produced at the studios.
It would be wrong for me to go into the merits of whether the studios should be saved, but we shall expect the Minister to examine the matter carefully and to acquaint the House with the Government's proposals on the subject. The ball rests in the Minister's court, and we expect to hear from him soon.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Oscar Murton)Rulings have been given that it is deprecated when subjects are introduced on the Adjournment unless due notice has been given to the Minister 846 concerned. It is often rather difficult late in the afternoon for a Minister to be present. The reason for the ruling is that, apart from the House of Commons point of view, an ex-parte statement without reply is not necessarily a valuable parliamentary proceeding. But in view of the circumstances explained by the hon. Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant), I think that the House will be satisfied with the short explanation he has made, and no doubt the Minister will take cognisance of it.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Adjourned accordingly at twenty-six minutes to Three o'clock.