§ Major Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cinematograph exhibitors for the years 1939, 1940 and 1941, respectively, whose showings of British films were nine to 15 per cent., giving the number in each percentage between these figures for each such year?
§ Mr. Liddallasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cinematograph exhibitors who defaulted in the showing of the statutory quota of British films for each of the years ending 30th September, 1939, 1940 and 1941; how many were recommended for prosecution by the Films Council; how many prosecutions were undertaken in each year and with what results?
§ Captain WaterhouseTo ascertain the numbers of exhibitors whose showings of British long films were between 9 and 15 per cent. of their total showings of long films in each of the three years in question would involve an expenditure of time and labour which, in present circumstances, I could not justify. I have, however, called for an analysis of the exhibitors' quota returns for the year ending 30th September, 1942, and when 1031W I have this I will send copies to my hon. Friends. The numbers of cinematograph exhibitors who failed to show the prescribed percentage of British films in each of the years ending 30th September, 1939, 1940 and 1941 were, respectively, 437, 316 and 1,402. The numbers recom-
Statement of prosecutions of Exhibitors who failed to show the prescribed percentage of British films in each of the years ending 30th September, 10.39, 1940 and 1941 Defendant and Theatre. Date and Place of Hearing. Result. I.—1940 (for the year ending September, 1939) 1. Manchester Cinemas, Ltd., Market Street Picture House, Manchester. 25.10.40, Manchester Dismissed 2. Manchester Cinemas, Ltd., New Oxford Theatre, Manchester. 25.10.40, Manchester Dismissed 3. Mr. J. F. Emery, M.P., Luxor Cinema, Manchester 25.10.40, Manchester Dismissed 4. Mr. J. F. Emery, M.P., Palace Cinema, Manchester 25.10.40, Manchester Dismissed 5. Metropolitan and Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, Ltd., Hammersmith Palace, London. 24.11.40, West London Fined £100 Costs £42 II.—1941 (for the year ending September, 1940) 1. Buxton Theatre Circuit, Ltd., Gaiety Cinema, Manchester. 24.10.41 Fined £50 Costs £10 10s. 0d. 2. Carlton Theatre Co., Ltd., Carlton Cinema, London, W.I. 11.11.41, Bow Street Fined £56 Costs £10 10s. 0d. 3. Plaza Theatre Co., Ltd., Plaza Cinema, London, W.I. 11.11.41, Bow Street Fined £50 Costs £10 10s. 0d. III.—1942 (for the year ending September, 1941) 1. Mr. J. F. Emery, M.P., Savoy Picture House 28.10.42, Oldbury, Worcs. Fined £75 Costs £10 10s. 0d. 2. Eastern Cinemas (G.C.P.), Ltd., Capital Cinema, Romford. 3.11.42, Romford Fined £75 Costs £10 10s. 0d. 3. Eastern Cinemas (G.C.P.), Ltd., Capital Cinema, (Upminster. 3.11.42, Romford Fined £75 Costs £10 10s. 0d. 4. Kessex Cinemas, Ltd., Regent Cinema, Green Lanes. 4.11.42, Stratford Fined £50 Costs £10 10s. 0d.