HC Deb 29 November 1949 vol 470 cc83-4W
75. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the total earnings of American films in Britain since the coming into force in June, 1948, of the Anglo-American film agreement; and what is the balance of such earnings which, under the terms of that agreement, remains unremitted, at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Bottomley:

The producers' share of the total earnings of American films in this country from the 14th June, 1948, to the 30th September, 1949, is estimated to amount to about £14½ million. After deduction of the dollar remittances, which absorbed about £5½ million, and the amounts disbursed under the agreement in sterling, the balance which at that date remained unremitted was approximately £2½ million.

76. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of unremitted earnings of American films in Britain which has so far been expended by American interests upon the production of films in this country; how many such films have been completed; and how many are at present in production.

Mr. Bottomley:

At the end of September, 1949, the amount of unremittable sterling so far spent in the sterling area on film production by American interests was about £ 2½ million. Not counting certain films which were partly financed with British-owned funds, three films financed by American interests have been completed and released in this country in the period since the conclusion of the Anglo-American Film Agreement; four have left the studio floor and are now in process of cutting and editing; and one is now in production in the studio.