§ Sir F. MEYERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that certain American film-producing organisations have established film - renting companies in this country for the purpose of distributing their films to British cinema exhibitors; that the prices charged by the American organisations to the renting companies for the purchase or hire of the films are such as to preclude any profit being shown by the latter, although in fact large profits are made by the American companies out of the hiring of American films to British 503W exhibitors; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the advisability of putting a direct tax on all foreign films shown in this country, calculated on the amount of the hiring fee paid by the exhibitor?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKI have been asked to reply. I am aware, generally, of the arrangements made by foreign film-producing organisations for distributing films in this country. Various proposals, relating to the cinematograph film industry, are under consideration, but I should add that the bearing of some of our commercial treaties on a tax of the Kind referred to by my hon. Friend in the last part of his question would require to be carefully examined.