HC Deb 10 December 1943 vol 395 c1256W
Mr. Rostron Duckworth

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Hollywood renters are insisting that independent British exhibitors must take on extortionate percentage terms films that the renters arbitrarily grade A, before being permitted to book the more modest productions which experience shows often prove the more popular; whether such conditional selling is permitted in any other sphere of British commerce; and whether he can take any action to terminate this practice?

Mr. Dalton

I am aware that film renting companies, both British and American, have required certain exhibitors, when booking cheaper films on what are known as flat rates, also to book films of better quality on what are known as percentage rates. The only restrictions on conditional sales of which I am aware are those contained in the provisions of Section 9 of the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941, and the Food (Conditions of Sale) Order, 1940 (S.R. & O. 1940, No. 2012). I am advised that these provisions do not extend to the hire of cinematograph films. I hope that the difficulty may be settled by mutual agreement between the parties concerned.