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South African Films

Volume 643: debated on Tuesday 27 June 1961

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32.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to ensure that South African films are no longer eligible for British quota.

In this, as in other matters, the position under United Kingdom law held by South Africa prior to its withdrawal from the Commonwealth is preserved for a year by the Republic of South Africa (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1961.

Does that mean that, so far as the Board of Trade is concerned, this is only a temporary situation for a period of twelve months, and that at the end of twelve months the situation is likely to be that the South African producers will no longer be given the benefit of a system designed to stimulate British and Commonwealth production? Is that the situation?

The position is that the present situation is preserved for a year and that in the meantime we shall be considering what is to happen after that.

33.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received, since the announcement that South Africa was leaving the Commonwealth, on the subject of South African films and British quota; and what reply he has made to these representations.

None, Sir, but my right hon. Friend has sought and obtained the views of feature film producers about the future treatment for quota purposes of films made in South Africa. Their views will be taken into account when the decisions are taken.