HC Deb 04 March 1980 vol 980 c115W
Mr. Nicholas Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what financial support he plans to give the National Film Corporation in the financial year 1980–81.

Mr. Nott

The level of the Department's outstanding advances to the corporation is now very close to the £11 million maximum laid down in the Films Acts. To enable the corporation to remain in business until the legislation I shall be introducing to give effect to the proposals I announced on 26 July 1979 can be enacted, I have authorised it, with the agreement of the Treasury and in accordance with section 1(1) of the Cinematograph Films (Special Loans) Act 1952, to borrow under Government guarantee. This facility is limited to the amount—£1 million—which it would otherwise, upon the House approving Estimates, have been able to draw from the Department and will not increase the PSBR or the public expenditure totals to be published in the forthcoming White Paper.