The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

iuly— August, 1943 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 79 MONOPOLY TENDENCIES HALTED The monopoly tendencies in the film industry were first raised at A.C.T.'s last Annual General Meeting. Subsequently the matter was taken up by the Cinematograph Films Council {representing all sections of the industry and the public) and the Film Industry Employees' Council on behalf of all the unions in the industry. We reprint from Hansard a statement in the House of Commons by the President of the Board of Trade on July 13th which has halted the monopoly tendencies. Whilst expressing our approval to Dr. Hugh Dalton for such positive action, we must remain vigilant and keep the matter under constant review. Mr. Glenvil Hall (Lab., Colne Valley): To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the serious concern which has been expressed by the Films Council and others regarding the tendency towards monopoly in the film industry, he has any statement "to make. Mr. Dalton : Yes, sir. I have discussed this question with Mr. J. Arthur Bank, who is Chairman of two of the leading cinema-owning companies and controls a number of other film enterprises, including several production studios. I informed Mr. Bank that the Government could not acquiesce in the creation of anything like a monopoly at any stage in the film industry. He has assured me that he fully understands this, and has been good enough to give me an undertaking not to acquire additional cinemas or studios without the prior consent of the President of the Board of Trade. I am circulating in the Official Beport the exchange of letters in which this undertaking is confirmed. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the public spirited manner in which Mr. Bank has responded to the Government's wishes in this matter. Mr. Bank has already done much for British films and will, I do not doubt, play a great part in their development in the years to come. I have also received undertakings from the chief shareholders in the Associated British Picture Cor poration — the other large cinema-owning company— that they will not dispose of their shares without first consulting the President of the Board of Trade, and I should like to thank all those concerned for their co-operation. Following is the exchange of letters referred to : 28th June, 1943. My dear Mr. Bank, During the course of our recent discussions, I explained to you that the Government, who desire to see the development of a vigorous and successful film industry and look to you to play an important part in achieving this aim, have lately been much concerned at the appearance of certain monopolistic tendencies in the industry. I emphasised that the Government could not acquiesce in the creation of anything like a monopoly at any stage — production, distribution or exhibition. I was glad to learn that you fully appreciated (his. and to have the assurance that you had no intention of securing for yourself, or the companies with which you are associated, any undue measure of control. You were also good enough to say that, to prevent misunderstanding, and to make sure that no action should be taken which might be contrary to the Government's wishes in this matter, you would undertake that neither you nor the companies which you control would take any steps to