§ Mr. PENNYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in view of the importance of encouraging British films, the British version of the firm "The Only Way" has been banned in the Straits Settlements; and why the American version of the same film is still allowed to be shown in that area?
§ Mr. AMERYThe decision, last year, of the official censor of the Straits Settlements Government not to authorise the exhibition of the British film "The Only Way," was upheld by the Committee of Appeal, on the ground that certain scenes in the film rendered it unsuitable for general exhibition in the colony, My hon. Friend will readily understand that, since the exhibition of the similar American film was authorised in 1923, developments have made it necessary to modify the criteria of the suitability of films for exhibition. I do not know if the official censor has considered the question of withdrawing the authorisation for the exhibition of the American film.