HC Deb 21 February 1983 vol 37 cc655-6
12. Mr. Maxton

asked the Minister for Trade if he has yet completed his review of the film industry; and if he will make a statement.

22. Mr. Dormand

asked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the film industry.

Mr. Sproat

A statement will be made as soon as my review of the industry is complete.

Mr. Maxton

Is it not disgraceful that the Under-Secretary can give us such an answer when we were promised that the review would be completed by the autumn of last year? Will he complete the review as quickly as possible, consult as many people as possible and give the House an assurance that the review will be designed to help the British film industry and will not be simply a cost-cutting exercise?

Mr. Sproat

I am reluctant to cross swords with the hon. Gentleman about completing the review by the autumn of last year, because we had hardly started it by then. I have said many times that we hope to finish taking evidence in about March and to publish our conclusions in about June. That is the timetable to which we shall stick, and I assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that the review is designed to help and that it will do so.

Mr. Dormand

Is it not clear, from the ending of the quota system and the threats to the Eady levy, to the National Film Finance Corporation and to the interim action committee, that the Government have no intention of maintaining a British film industry? Does the Under-Secretary agree that some of the most successful films of recent years, which have won international acclaim, would not have been made without public money? Will he have second thoughts about the disastrous proposals that are now being talked about?

Mr. Sproat

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's first question is no, and with regard to the implications of his second question, these are the points that we are taking into account in our review.

Mr. Pollock

In carrying out this review, will my hon. Friend bear in mind the problems faced by provincial cinemas, whereby only one picture is allowed in the schedule over holiday periods? Is my hon. Friend aware that, for example, during the Christmas break many young children in my constituency, including my six-year-old daughter, were able to see the film ET, but were denied the chance to see the film Sleeping Beauty because of the arrangements between the film distributing companies? [HON. MEMBERS: "Disgraceful".]

Mr. Sproat

My hon. Friend makes a good point. I am aware of the problems in Elgin and how hard my hon. Friend is fighting to overcome them. The House may not know that similar problems are occurring in Glasgow, and I am surprised that the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton) did not bother to mention that in his supplementary question. This matter has been referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and I hope to receive its report within a few weeks.

Mr. Woolmer

In his review of the financial support schemes for the British film industry, will the Minister take into account the fact that in six weeks as many people will watch films on video as will watch films in cinemas in a year, and in a week they will see as many on television as they see in cinemas in a year? Will the Minister consider extending the principle of the film levy—rather than abolishing it—to reflect present-day realities and to ensure that money from video and television audiences finds its way into the film industry to ensure a thriving and flourishing British film industry, which thereby helps not only the industry but the viewers?

Mr. Sproat

It was precisely because we are aware that moving image technology these days covers television, videos, cable and satellite as well as cinema that I set up the review. I am considering whether to abolish or extend the levy.

Sir William Clarke

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government have helped the film industry in that the 100 per cent. capital allowances have been extended from two to five years?

Mr. Sproat

I am glad that my hon. Friend has drawn attention to that. It is certainly something of which the film industry is deeply appreciative.