LORD GRANTLEYasked His Majesty's Government whether they will provide the latest available figures of (a) the annual cost of the Crown Film Unit; and (b) the amount of net revenues that have accrued in the same period from the exhibition of any films they have made.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONThe total cost of the Crown Film Unit in the financial year April 1, 1950—March 31, 1951, is calculated at £218,571. This figure has been calculated as though the Unit were a trading organisation. The actual expenditure by the Unit on film production in the period amounted to £156,357, the balance of £62,214 being made up of amounts charged against the film operation to cover its share of Central Office of Information departmental expenses, depreciation of film equipment and vehicles, insurance and interest on capital, and services received from other Departments such as the Ministry of Works, who meet the rent and maintenance costs of the Beaconsfield Studios.
The films produced by the Crown Film Unit are made for Government Departments, and usually intended for showing 401WA outside the theatres to agricultural, medical, industrial and other special audiences, for oversea distribution by the United Kingdom Information Services, or for free release to cinemas, so that revenue does not normally accrue. Of the thirty-six films made for departments in 1950–51, and so distributed, six were also put into commercial distribution. The net 402WA revenue in 1950–51 from the exhibition in this country of these and earlier Crown films was £9,000. In addition these films earn oversea revenue, which accrues to the oversea departments, but is not separately recorded.
House adjourned at nineteen minutes past five o'clock.