HC Deb 02 August 1939 vol 350 c2414W
Mr. Wakefield

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that when permission is only granted by his Depratment to a limited number of representatives of newsreel companies to take photographs from the windows or roofs of Government buildings, the prints of the films taken, although supplied to all the newsreel companies, are not freely obtainable from those companies by all interests wishing to exhibit them; and whether he will investigate this matter with a view to making it a condition of the limited permits that the resulant films shall be free not only to all newsreel companies but made available by those companies to all who require to exhibit them and are prepared to pay the appropriate fee?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The policy of my Department is to grant facilities in such a manner as will benefit the largest possible number of the public, and, with this proviso, all applicants are treated on an equality. I am not aware that any company which is prepared to issue films on the terms suggested by my hon. Friend has ever been denied facilities, and I regret, therefore, that I am unable to impose any such condition as that Proposed.