Cinema Entertainments

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at on 15 December 1942.

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Photo of Colonel Sir John Jarvis Colonel Sir John Jarvis , Guildford

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state that the restrictions upon showing films to the troops, within two miles of a cinema, have been with drawn?

Photo of Mr John Dugdale Mr John Dugdale , West Bromwich

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the showing of films to troops stationed within two miles of a public cinema?

Photo of Sir James Grigg Sir James Grigg , Cardiff East

Hitherto the Army has not as a general rule been able to show films within two miles of a public cinema. In special cases exceptions were of course made. I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made with the trade which abolish the limit for all films twelve months after their general release. This will result in a considerable and valuable increase in the cinema entertainment available for the Army, and I should like to express my appreciation of the readiness of the trade to help the Army in this way.

Photo of Colonel Sir John Jarvis Colonel Sir John Jarvis , Guildford

Can my right hon. Friend say whether generally operating sets will be provided quickly so that advantage can be taken of this very satisfactory arrangement?

Photo of Sir James Grigg Sir James Grigg , Cardiff East

I would rather like notice of that question, but we have a sufficient number of operating sets to meet the increase in the supply of films coming forward.

Photo of Mr Richard Stokes Mr Richard Stokes , Ipswich

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the nature of the arrangements made with the trade; is there any payment or compensation involved?