§ 6.49 p.m.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the approaching expiration of the Cinematograph Films Act of 1938 and of the position in which British film producers find themselves as a result of the war, they would agree to setting up without delay a Committee to consider the position of the British film industry on similar lines to and having similar terms of reference as the Moyne Committee of 1936; and, furthermore, whether it would not be advisable to appoint to such a Committee at least two persons who had some knowledge of the complexities of the film industry.]
LORD PAKENHAMMy Lords, the Cinematograph Films Act of 1938 still has over two years to run and His Majesty's Government are not prepared to commit themselves at this stage to the setting up of a Committee on the lines recommended by the noble Lord. The Government are already giving very careful consideration to the various problems which concern the industry, and I can assure the noble Lord that in relation to all these matters, including that of legislation to replace the 1938 Act, full opportunity is being, taken of assessing the opinions of all sections of the trade.