Kinematograph Year Book 1954 (1954)

520 The Kinematograph Year Book. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DEALING WITH THE FILM INDUSTRY; IMPORT DUTY. CENTRAL OFFICE OF INFORMATION Films Division : 83, Baker St., London, W.i. Telephone : Welbeck 4420. BOARD OF TRADE I.M.5. (Films) Horse Guards Avenue, S.W.i. Telephone : Trafalgar 8855 Grams : Indumandep, London. The Films Branch of I.M.5. Division has general responsibility for the commercial and industrial aspects of the film industry. One of its main tasks is the administration of the Cinematograph Films Acts, 1938 and 1948 (the " Quota Acts ") ; this involves enforcement of the quota and other regulations in relation to the distribution and exhibition of films. The Branch deals with all general questions about the production, distribution and exhibition of films in this country, particularly those which concern the promotion of British film production. In this context the Branch has general responsibility for the National Film Finance Corporation. The Branch also gives assistance to British producers in exporting their films. It is responsible for film import policy, for administration, in consultation with the Treasury, of the Anglo-American Film Agreement and for other matters relating to film imports and exports. It is also concerned with the manufacture and importation of film base and sensitised photographic materials, including cinematograph film stock, and with film processing laboratories. BONDED FILM STORES, LTD. 33-35. Endell Street, W.C.2. Telephone : Temple Bar 3887. CUSTOMS AND EXCISE. The Films Officer, H.M. Customs and Excise, Strand 5th Station (Films), First Floor, Mill House, 87, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W.i. (Entrance in Shaftesbury Avenue.) Telephone: Gerrard 2725. Ext. 45. IMPORT DUTY ON F ILIYIS Class or Description of Goods Rate of Duty GROUP XVIII Full Preferential (20)* (ii) Unexposed sensitised cinematograph film per linear foot id. ¥. * (iii) Exposed cinematograph film : — (a) of a width not exceeding one inch (b) containing only a single sound track § (c) shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioners to consist wholly of photographs (with or without sound track) which at the time of importation are means of communicating news t (d) shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioners to be a duplicate of film on which Customs duty has been paid at the rate of fivepence per linear foot and not wholly or partly refunded (e) other film fi<*. tirf. fid Ud. t5<*. * See also the following provisions. t Goods from the Commonwealth and Empire are liable to the full rate of duty unless they are eligible for a lower rate of duty under any of the following provisions. % Film shown to be a duplicate of film on which duty was paid at the ad valorem rate operative prior to 3rd May, 1948, and not wholly or partly refunded, is also admissible at the rate of id. per linear foot under this heading. § See note (10). (See notes below.) NOTES ON IMPORT DUTY. (1) In the case of film of a greater width than the standard width of ij inches, the duty chargeable is increased in proportion to the extent to which the width is greater than the standard width, and in the case of unexposed sensitised cinematograph film of less than the standard width, the duty chargeable is decreased in proportion to the extent to which the width is less than the standard width. (2) All sheets or strips of unexposed sensitised film which are of a length not less than 12 feet are, whatever their width, treated as cinematograph film. (3) The expression " exposed cinematograph film " includes all such film whether it is positive or negative, whether it is developed or undeveloped and whether or not it contains or consists of sound track.