§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total spending of the British Film Institute in each country of the United Kingdom for each year since 1970; and if she will express the totals as a percentage of the population in each country;
(2) how many films were financially supported by the British Film Institute in each country of the United Kingdom in each year since 1970; and in what languages these films were produced.
§ Mr. OakesI regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total amount expended by the British Film Institute in each country of the United Kingdom on support for cinemas.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe British Film Institute gives support to regional film theatres through its Housing the 611W Cinema Fund which was set up in 1967 to assist with the provision of new buildings and equipment or adaptation of existing buildings. The total capital grants from this fund until 1975–76 were:
£ England … … … 663,000 Scotland … … … 130,000 Wales … … … 70,000 In addition, recurrent grants are made by the BFI to the National Film Theatre and to film societies, university centres and regional film theatres. I regret that corresponding detailed figures are not readily available.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will undertake an inquiry into the activities of the British Film Institute in Wales.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied with the British Film Institute's policy towards the production of films in Wales and in the Welsh language.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsYes. The British Film Institute's policy is to support, in England and Wales, and within the resources available, projects that advance the art of the film wherever and in whatever language they are produced.