HC Deb 24 April 1978 vol 948 cc995-6
18. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he has had to date on the Interim Action Committee on the Film Industry.

Mr. Meacher

My advisory body, the Cinematograph Films Council, is considering the report. I have also received a number of written and oral representations, and my Department is discussing the report with other interested Government Departments.

Mr. Durant

I declare an interest in this matter. Do the Government intend to introduce legislation in this Parliament to establish a films authority? Is the Minister aware that successful films such as "Star Wars" and the Bond films were made in this country but with American money? Will the hon. Gentleman persuade his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to look into the matter and take some positive steps to help this industry, which is a dollar earner?

Mr. Meacher

There is not parliamentary time, even if we were ready at this precise moment—which we are not—to introduce a Bill to establish a British films authority. This matter certainly requires consultation, and it requires quite a lot of detailed study to clothe the broad blueprint, which is all that the Interim Action Committee provided in its report. As I say, there is also the problem of the parliamentary timetable. However, this is a matter on which we are making as much progress as we can. I shall draw the financial issue raised by the hon. Gentleman to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Shersby

Is the Minister aware that British film exports used to make a substantial contribution to our export earnings but that this has steadily diminished in recent years due to the disadvantageous position in which the British film industry finds itself as a result of discrimination on tax grounds? Will the hon. Gentleman therefore treat with the greatest possible urgency the issue raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, North (Mr. Durant) and impress upon the Chancellor the need for speedy action if we are to keep together the residue of skilled technology which remains in this country on which our film industry depends for its future success?

Mr. Meacher

I have already given an assurance about that. There are also many co-production agreements which, I believe, affect the issue here. The Interim Action Committee is looking, in particular, at five other subjects, apart from the establishment of a British films authority, one of which is the promotion of overseas sales of British films. I look forward to an early report on that score, too.