asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the sterling values of exports of British cinematograph films in the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available, to France, Western Germany, Italy and Spain, respectively;(2) the sterling value of the exports of British cinematograph films to Western Europe in each of the last five years.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the overseas earnings of British films. No reliable figures of such earnings are available. The Board of Trade have tried to obtain such information for all countries, but no practical method has been found. Film royalties are invisible earnings and are not recorded in the Trade and Navigation Accounts.