§ Mr. Maddanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether finance will be made available to the British Film Institute through the British Film Fund Agency as envisaged in the Films Act, 1970; how much and when; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyI think my hon. Friend is referring to the provisions of Section 6 of the Films Act, 1970, under which the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry may after consultation with the Cinematograph Films Council. approve payments by the British Film Fund Agency to the British Film Institute towards the cost of making films.
After considering advice given by the Cinematograph Films Council, we have authorised the British Film Fund agency to make a grant of £10,000 from the British Film Fund to the British Film Institute towards the cost of making films. The grant will be subject to certain conditions and will be payable in the current levy year which ends on 2nd October, 1971.