§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Prime Minister if he will list the Royal Commissions presently under appointment, provide the names of the chairmen, and the remuneration each receives.
§ The Prime MinisterThe following is the information:
of ensuring a continuing supply of films from British sources of a kind that can meet the requirements of world markets.
§ The Prime MinisterYes. The Government have for some time been concerned that help available to our film industry from instruments like the Eady 117W levy, the NFFC funds and the cinematograph film quota no longer matches the commercial realities which the industry is facing, particularly with the advent of television and the competition which is offered on this medium by the supply of films which are available cheaply from overseas.
The Government wish to see a situation in which there would be a substantial increase in the number of films of international appeal produced under British auspices. I understand that representatives of the Cinematograph Films Council and of the television authorities will be meeting shortly to discuss this problem and the recommendations in the council's recent report to the Secretary of State for Trade on the future prospects of the film industry. I welcome this and I have no doubt that both sides, while taking proper account of the interests of the television industry, will give serious and sympathetic consideration to the recommendations in that report.