§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to ban political advertising in the cinema;
(2) what controls exist and are exercised by his Department to regulate the content and balance of political advertising in the cinema;
(3) if he will take steps to provide control ensuring balance of coverage in political advertising in the cinema.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAdvertising films shown in cinemas must comply with the requirements which local cinema licensing authorities may impose on the showing of films in their areas, particularly in relation to the grant of a certificate by the British Board of Film Censors. In addition, political advertisements may be covered by the limitations on election expenditure under sections 63 and 64 of the Representation of the People Act 1949. The need for any further controls relating to the political content of cinema advertisements could be considered by a Speaker's Conference on electoral law.