HC Deb 20 June 1968 vol 766 cc160-1W
34. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action is being taken to encourage the further development of the work of the British Film Institute, in view of the contribution that the film can make as an art form.

Miss Jennie Lee

The grant to the British Film Institute has been increased from just over £100,000 in 1963–64 to £410,000 in 1968–69. Twenty regional film theatres are now in operation and fourteen more are planned. Twenty experimental films have so far been made and new buildings for the National Film Archive have been opened. Plans are proceeding for a second auditorium and club facilities for the National Film Theatre on the South Bank. More remains to be done. But of course, how fast we can move is a matter of priorities.