asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will state whether it is a fact that repeated applications for the reception of a deputation have been made to him by the Theatre and Cinema Association (Ireland); and whether, in view of the fact that the cost of censorship as provided by the terms of the Censorship of Films Bill, 1923, will be borne by the cinema proprietors, he is prepared to receive a deputation of the said Association on behalf of the proprietors; and further if he will state whether the following information has been brought to his notice:—
(1) That the trade is already very severely taxed through the Entertainments Tax and by the newly added Import Duty on Films.
(2) That for the past couple of years a great number of the Cinema Exhibitors have been carrying on at a substantial loss, and are not able to bear any further burden.
(3) That it is the opinion of the Members of the Association that the cost of the censorship of films should be borne out of the general taxes; and if he will give an assurance that, before appointing a censor and a staff, he will obtain all available information regarding the number of films requiring censoring, in order to insure that the cost of censorship will be reduced to the minimum.