§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what films upon athletics are available for showing in the Colonial Territories, particularly those films of past Olympic and Empire Games.
§ Mr. LytteltonItems on athletics, especially of colonial athletes in action, are included whenever possible in the specially-edited newsreel "British News," which is distributed to Colonial Territories. Eight such items were included in 1952, including four from the Olympic Games. A full-length technicolour film of the 1948 Olympic Games was distributed commercially, but for financial reasons rights could not be acquired for it to be shown outside commercial cinemas. No full-length film of the 1952 Games is available.
Instructional films on athletics can be bought by colonial Governments, including four produced for the Ministry of Education in 1949. The British 52W Council have included films on sprinting, hurdling and the high jump among those sent to their representatives in the Colonies. The recently formed Overseas Film Library, from which Colonial Territories can borrow films, has at present only one film on athletics, but it is hoped to add others. The Nigerian film unit is at present producing a film on athletics for local use.