HC Deb 25 January 1961 vol 633 c37W
Mr. H. Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade his estimate of the overseas earnings of British cinematograph films in each year since 1948.

Mr. Maudling

The available information on the overseas earnings of British cinematograph films actually remitted to the United Kingdom is as follows:

1956 £3,972,000
1957 £4,553,000
1958 £5,061,000
1959 £4,959,000

These figures cover remittances in respect of direct distribution expenses and of rents, royalties and sales of rights

— Number of cinemas open at end of year Admissions Gross box-office takings Net box-office takings, after deduction of entertainments duty and levy
(million) (£ million) (£ million)
1949 … … … 4,671 1,430 103.3 66.8
1950 … … … 4,660 1,396 105.2 68.0
1951 … … … 4,624 1,365 108.3 68.9
1952 … … … 4,610 1,312 109.9 68.9
1953 … … … 4,569 1,285 108.8 68.6
1954 … … … 4,543 1,276 110.0 71.4
1955 … … … 4,488 1,182 105.8 69.8
1956 … … … 4,301 1,101 104.2 67.6
1957 … … … 4,112 915 92.9 62.6
1958 … … … 3,892 755 83.4 63.9
1959 … … … 3,448 601 (b) 69.3 (b) 57.6 (b)
1960 … … … 3,080 (a) 515 (b) 64.3 (b) 58.2 (b)

(a) Provisional.

(b) Estimates based on information relating to a sample of cinemas.