The Report stage of the Films Bill was resumed in
the House of Commons on Thursday, November 17th. The pUzzle of how to define a " British film " which we commented on last week was solved in one aspect by the decision that the scenes should be somewhere in the Empire. Colonel Applin then moved- that the producer need not be British, on the ground that there are not many experienced British producers. We expressed the hope last week that the Government would not rule out foreign talent provided that the "British character " of the films could be ensured. We are therefore well pleased with the Government's decision that a British producer- is not essential ; the tone and substance, they said, were what mattered, not the accidents. The Government also took a practical course, as we hoped they would, in dismissing the visionary idea that the preponderance of capital could always be British. It was decided that there may be a predomin- ance of foreign money (Why not ? We ought to welcome it), but that the majority of. directors must be British and that the company must 'be registered in the Empire. After a short debate on the third reading the Bill was carried by 223 votes to 125 votes.
• * *
Previous page
