§ 83. Mr. Weitzmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the film "Rommel—Desert Fox" which glorifies a general who upheld the Nazi creed has led to incidents likely to induce a breach of the peace; and what action he proposes to take in regard to this matter.
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§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have no power to take any action in the matter. Licensing authorities under the Cinematograph Act, 1909, have power to attach conditions about the character of films exhibited in theatres licensed by them and I understand that in London the London County Council attach a condition to their licences prohibiting an exhibition of any film which is likely to lead to disorder, and providing that if the licensee is notified by the Council that it objects to the exhibition of a film on this—or any other—ground specified in the licence the film shall not in any circumstances be exhibited.
It is of course the duty of the police to take such action as they can to prevent breaches of the peace at the exhibition of any film which is allowed to be exhibited.