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Ministers concerned have on several occasions approved the principle of internal settlement of problems .affecting the industry and have indicated that, provided the public interest is safeguarded, Government has no desire or intention of exercising legislative control over the industry to any greater extent than is desired. The Board is in a position to represent fully the industry viewpoint, and the attached representations may be regarded as authoritative. It is noteworthy that up to the present all policy decisions of the Board have been unanimous. 39. The Board has no official status, but is still functioning with the informal approval of both Ministers concerned. It is the practice to refer most, if not all, matters affecting the industry to it for an expression of opinion, and serious consideration is given to any representations made on the Board's own initiative. Since the provisions of section 12 of the amending Act proved ineffective •all complaints by independent exhibitors regarding inadequate film-supply have been referred to the Board for settlement. In every case a satisfactory arrangement has been negotiated. Up to the present, both the Board and the renters and exhibitors concerned with the complaints have acted with the knowledge that the licensing policy had not so far been determined and that unless a spirit of reasonable compromise prevailed, less acceptable provisions might be imposed. The question does arise whether the existing unofficial constitution will suffice for similar problems when a formal licensing tribunal is set up. It may be considered desirable to include in the amending legislation which will be necessary powers of making regulations sufficiently wide to meet any failure by the Board to deal effectively with this problem. F. Johnson, Late Assistant Secretary of Industries and Commerce. R. Gibling-Btjtcher, Late Chief Inspector xmder the Cinematograph Films Act.

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