§ 51. Sir Anthony Royleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual cost of the overseas film and television production unit; how many directors, editors and other technical staff are employed; how much he expects to save by privatising this unit and transferring the work to freelance staff; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HayhoeThere are 26 directors, editors and technicians employed in the COI films and television division on producton for overseas. From 1 April the COI will use the services of the short film industry for this work.
The cost in 1982–83 of having this work done outside is estimated at £322,000 compared with an estimated in-house cost of £427,000, a saving of £105,000.
The COI already contracts out most of its film production. Sufficient creative staff will be retained to maintain the quantity and quality of output and full budgetary control.