§ 152. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for War why the Army Kinematograph Corporation in North Africa often charges more for admission than the local cinemas; and whether he is satisfied with the service provided by this corporation.
§ Mr. BellengerIn order to provide entertainment in all commands where this is not adequately catered for by normal civilian cinemas, the Army Kinema Corporation, a non-profit making concern operates often in localities where attendance and receipts are so small that civilian cinemas would find it uneconomical to operate. The loss in such areas has to he made good elsewhere and, therefore, the corporation's charges, which are the same in all commands, do not necessarily bear any relation to local conditions. Thus, cases will inevitably occur, especially where civilian operating expenses are low, in which local cinemas charge less than the corporation. As regards the second part of the Question, I am satisfied with the services provided by the corporation.