§ 63. Mr. Cooperasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what number of films for major showing have been produced by the Central Office of Information Films Division since 1946 in addition to "The Bridge," "Cumberland Story" and "The World is Rich," what is the number of No. 1 and No. 2 circuit cinemas at which each of these films has been shown; what is the time taken to produce such films and the cost of each; what is the shortest time taken by the Central Office of Information Films Division to produce any of their shorter films; and what is the total number of such films made since the formation of the C.O.I. on 1st April, 1946.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThirty-four. The highest number of commercial bookings for any one film to date is just under 1,000. The time taken to produce has 313W varied between five months and 24 months and the cost between £1,165 and £63,500. One hundred and forty-four minor films have been made since 1st April, 1946. One short film was completed in two weeks.
64. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the recent publication of the figure of 677 executives employed by the Central Office of Information he will issue a short statement explaining the reasons for the retention of such a large body of executives in comparison with the numbers that would be employed by a commercial undertaking carrying on a similar volume of work.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThe staff of the Central Office of Information is no larger or more highly graded than would be employed by a commercial undertaking carrying out work of similar nature and volume.