asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will state on what basis the charges set out on the back of Form A, Censorship of Films Act, 1923, have been fixed, and if any estimates have been made as to (1) the yearly amount which will be derived from such charges, (2) the number of feet of film which will be censored during the present year, (3) the yearly cost of the Censor's Department, with particulars of salaries and all other expenses estimated for; further, to ask the amount which will be received by the Censor's Department, calculated at 1s. per reel, in respect of films previously censored, and the number of feet of film censored each week during the six weeks ended 16th February, and the total amount of fees payable by film renters in respect of films censored from the date on which the Censor took up his duties until the 16th February, and the number of feet of film in respect of which applications for censorship were received by the Censor during the six working days ending on and including 2nd March, and how many film renters have lodged applications for censorship since 18th February.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COST OF CENSORSHIP OF FILMS.
Mr. O'HIGGINS
The fees have been fixed on such a basis that they will meet the expenses of censorship and no more. If 50,000 feet of film per week is viewed, the total sum which would be received in a year at one-fifth of a penny per foot, would be £2,167, and this would be proportionately increased if the figure of 50,000 a week is an under-estimate. As, however, topical and similar pictures are charged for at the rate of one-tenth of a penny per foot, a reduction of approximately £100 must be made, leaving the net receipts £2,067.
The expenses of the Censor's Department and the salaries of the officers are as follows:—
|
Official Censor |
£250 |
per annum |
|
Clerical assistance |
320 |
,,,, |
|
On a basis of 50,000 feet per week, £1,250 will be payable to the Irish Bonded Film Store, Limited, for the services rendered by them |
£1250 |
,,,, |
|
Postage, telephone and incidentals |
150 |
,,,, |
|
The re-showing of pictures to the Official Censor in doubtful cases, and showing to Appeal Board |
100 |
,,,, |
|
£2,070 |
The other figures asked for are as follows:—
Amount which will be received by the Censor's Department calculated at 1/- per reel, in respect of films previously censored, £266.
Number of feet of film censored each week during the six weeks ended 16th February:—
|
Feet. |
|
|
Week ending January 12th |
131,330 |
|
,,,,,,19th |
61,746 |
|
,,,,,,26th |
76,678 |
|
,,,,February 2nd |
93,650 |
|
,,,,,,9th |
110,525 |
|
,,,,,,16th |
94,800 |
|
Total |
568,729 |
It is to be noted that in the preceding two months the number of feet censored was 440,466, so that the average per week from the 1st November to the 16th February, is 65,000 feet.
Total amount of fees payable by film renters in respect of films censored from the date on which the Censor took up his duties until the 16th February, is about £500.
Number of feet of film in respect of which applications for censorship were received by the Censor during the six working days, ending on and including March 1st — 74,288 feet.
Applications for censorship have been lodged by three film renters since 18th February.
Arising out of that answer, is it a fact that the Censor's salary is based on 50,000 feet of films per week, and as this has been increased, will the salary be increased?
Mr. O'HIGGINS
I would ask the Deputy to give special notice of that question.