HC Deb 24 July 1978 vol 954 cc1126-7
6. Mr. Durant

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the film industry and his response to the Interim Action Committee report.

Mr. Dell

When I met recently the chairman of the Interim Action Committee, my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) and some of his colleagues, I confirmed my acceptance in principle of the case for the setting up of a British Film Authority.

I also mentioned that there were several proposals in the committee's first report on which it would be helpful to have further information and said I was looking forward to the promised further reports.

Mr. Durant

Will the Minister accept that the delay over this question is causing a certain amount of anxiety? Further, will he look at the representation by the production part of the industry on the film authority which is rather small? Perhaps it would be better to have larger representation. Will the right hon. Gentleman accept that the main problem with the industry at present is the question of taxation? Will he discuss that with the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Dell

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is aware of the industry's taxation proposals and no doubt will consider them but bearing in mind the implications of such proposals for other industries.

As for putting additional production interests on the Interim Action Committee—I take it that that is what the hon. Gentleman meant—one of the problems in this industry is getting balanced representation. There is a great deal of disagreement as to what is balance. I am at present satisfied with the current representation on that committee.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Is my right hon. Friend aware, however, that he does not have to wait for the setting up of the film authority to do two very practical things? The first is to look at the whole question of barring, which is causing great difficulty for exhibitors; the second is to do something urgently to restore the viability of the Children's Film Foundation, which is doing a marvellous job in preparing children's film with very little assistance from the industry by which it is supposed to be backed.

Mr. Dell

There are discussions on barring currently in progress with the exhibitors. As regards the Children's Film Foundation, I understand that the full grant has been recently paid.

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