61. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that United States film groups are pro viding financial aid to independent cinema undertakings in order to equip their cinemas with CinemaScope and to guarantee them against financial loss for a period of two years, in return for under takings to show United States Cinema Scope and other films; what effect this will have upon the Government's quota policy; and what steps he is taking in the matter.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes. I have informed the exhibitors' association, after consultation with the Cinematograph Films Council, that the terms of an agreement relating to films designed for showing by new types of equipment will not be regarded by the Board of Trade as absolving an exhibitor from the statutory requirement to show his prescribed quotas of British films.