HC Deb 30 June 1980 vol 987 cc1079-81
23. Mr. Dormand

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to promote the appreciation of films.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Neil MacFarlane)

The British Film Institute promotes film as an art form and receives substantial support from public funds for this purpose. The parliamentary grant-in-aid which I have proposed for the current year should enable the institute to maintain a level of activity broadly comparable with that of last year.

Mr. Dormand

In view of the inadequate provisions in the Films Bill, to which presumably the hon. Gentleman refers and which went through the House recently, does he not feel that he has an ever greater responsibility in this matter? Indeed, nothing has been done since the Government came to power. Is it not a fact that the cinema, of all the arts, attracts more customers than any other aspect of the arts? Will he give special attention to the regional film theatres and the Children's Film Foundation?

Mr. MacFarlane

The grant-in-aid for the British Film Institute announced recently is £5.67 million, as against £4.5 million for last year. As for the concentration of the Government's links with the British Film Institute, it must remain the prerogative of Ministers not to interfere with the British Film Institute in the course on which it chooses to embark. However, the regional arts associations link up with the British Film Institute, and I have no doubt that some of the hon. Gentleman's comments will be read by the various representatives of those authorities.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Is it not true that what is happening is that the money allocated to the British Film Institute is not being spent in the same proportion in the regions as was once the case? If they are not given adequate grants, will they not find it very difficult to maintain regional film theatres?

Mr. MacFarlane

It is interesting to note that the British Film Institute has set up an advisory committee on funding and development, with the main objective of trying to obtain further funds from private sources. I have no doubt that the hon. Lady, who has some interest in these matters, will choose to give her assistance to that source of fund raising.

Mr. Faulds

Would not British films flourish and prosper much better if responsibility for them were taken from the Department of Trade and put under that of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster? Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to his colleagues to bring about that necessary and healthy change?

Mr. MacFarlane

I am certain that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will feel considerably warmed by the esteem in which the hon. Gentleman holds him. The British Film Institute is the only agency that comes under the general direction of the Office of Arts and Libraries. The National Film Finance Corporation comes under the Department of Trade, and in that respect I could not give any assurance to the hon. Gentleman today.