§ Mr. Levyasked the President of the Board of Trade his reason for reducing the variety of programmes that can be shown at news-reel theatres; and whether he is prepared to reconsider the present policy?
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§ Captain WaterhouseThe shortage of cinematograph film has made it necessary to limit the amount which any one distributor may obtain. In order to avoid the waste involved by the cutting of two or more news-reels in order to show a longer composite reel it is possible that theatres will in future be limited by their suppliers to one news-reel on first release, though they may still be able to obtain the previous issue as well. However, one of the five standard news-reels—which will only be slightly shorter than formerly—will still be available to every news theatre on the date of release. My right hon. Friend would not feel justified in taking steps to prevent this small but useful economy from being made.