§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will receive a deputation from the work force of Pinewood film studios to discuss the proposed loss of over 250 permanent jobs there; if, in the light of the redundancies at Pinewood studios and the decline in British feature film production, he will review the operation of the Films Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to his reply, 8 May 1987]: The Government regret that Pinewood has had to announce redundancies. It would not be appropriate for the Government to intervene in a commercial decision taken by the company, but I am always ready to discuss constructive proposals about the future of the industry. However, I do not consider it necessary to review the operation of the Films Act 1985.