HL Deb 07 December 1972 vol 337 cc372-3

3.21 p.m.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what sum is paid annually to the National Panel for Film Festivals for its work on the propagation of British short films abroad; what staff is employed by the Panel; and how often does the Panel meet.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords. Her Majesty's Government provide £6,750 a year for the Secretariat of the National Panel for Film Festivals. The Secretariat has a full-time Secretary and ancillary services provided by the Central Office of Information. The Panel meets in general session twice a year, and for viewing sessions twenty times a year.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for her Answer, but I think she will agree that that £6,750 does not reflect the total charge met by Her Majesty's Government. The Central Office of Information has to provide all the other services. Arising from that, may I ask the noble Baroness whether the Government are giving consideration to this particular form of film festival and promotion, and might it not quite well be undertaken, at even less cost and in a more professional capacity, by other film institutes which could undertake this work for Great Britain?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, arrangements have been agreed upon and are in hand that the Secretariat, which is currently provided by the Central Office of Information, should be taken over by the British Council from April, 1973. That has been arranged for precisely the reason put forward by the noble Lord.

LORD HOY

My Lords, may I ask a further Question? Does the noble Baroness think that by simply handing this Secretariat over to the British Council the best opportunity is going to be taken to present in other countries short films on behalf of Britain? May I ask her to have a look at this matter again to see whether she can call in professional advisers in the film industry to have a look at the whole of this subject?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, I am sure that the British Council will consider this matter, but in actual fact the Panel has been very successful. It selects British short films for 16 major international festivals a year. Films so selected have won 16 major awards this year, so it has done good work.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I do not want to take this matter too far, but is the noble Baroness aware that the last selections were in fact made by one person who serves on the Council? The Panel were not consulted at all. While it may reflect good judgment on the part of that person, it does not reflect any credit on the Panel.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, the fact remains that it was a success.