§ 49. Mr. Gorstasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied that, following the changes of 249W ownership in British Lion Films Limited, there will be adequate film studio facilities to meet the British film industry's requirements in the forseeable future; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantA change in the ownership of British Lion would not in itself affect the availability of film studio facilities. I refer my hon. Friend to my replies to him on 18th May.—[Vol. 837, c.204–6.]
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now appoint through the National Film Finance Corporation a Government director, to replace Sir Leslie Robinson who retired on 30th September, 1970, to supervise the special Government share in British Lion Films Limited and to ensure that the Shepperton Film Studios continue to be used for the purpose of filmmaking in accordance with the conditions of sale in 1964.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe right to appoint a Director to the Board of British Lion Films Ltd. rests with the National Film Finance Corporation. The Corporation will no doubt exercise the right if they think it desirable to do so.
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry what variations he has authorised the National Film Finance Corporation to make in the conditions of sale by Her Majesty's Government of British Lion Films Limited to the purchasing consortium as reported to Parliament on 4th February, 1964.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantNone.
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what request he has received through the National Film Finance Corporation from British Lion Films Limited to authorise the sale of the Shepperton Film Studios to a financial group with no previous experience of the film industry; and what undertaking this group has given to maintain film production as a major activity at the Shepperton Film Studios, in accordance with the original conditions of sale by Her Majesty's Government to British Lion Films Limited.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18th May in reply to a Question from250W my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, North (Mr. Gorst).—[Vol. 83, c. 205.]
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the continuing use of the Shepperton Film Studios for film making was a criterion in the valuation at £1½ million by Sir William Lawson of British Lion Films Limited's assets in 1964, in view of the present valuation of £5½ million.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe 1964 valuation of British Lion's interest in Shepperton Studios Limited was based on the then permitted user of the property. This was for film studio and ancillary purposes and/or warehousing.
§ Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what value he has placed on the Government's special share in British Lion Films Limited in connection with its sale to Barclay Securities Limited.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe Special Preference Share held by the National Film Finance Corporation in British Lion Films Ltd. has a nominal value of £1. The share has not been sold.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the public interest, and the former connection of the Government with the British Lion Film Corporation, he will seek, in the light of the undertakings given by the National Film Finance Corporation, to prevent this company being sold to private property speculators or to ensure that the profits from the sale are paid to the Treasury.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI refer the hon. Member to replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, North (Mr. Gorst) on 18th May.—[Vol. 837, c.204–6.]