841.4061 Motion Pictures/140: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—12:42 p.m.]
373. Your 190 of May 3, 5 p.m. Stanley is ill and I will be unable to see him for at least 10 days. In the meantime, we will carry on preliminary conversations with Board of Trade officials.
I hope the Department realizes there is not much chance of getting anything like a comprehensive agreement. It is not politically possible for the Government to have the Films Act changed so soon after enactment. Under that Act the Board of Trade is bound to consult the Films Council before making certain decisions and therefore it may not be legally possible for them in such cases to bind themselves in advance by executive agreement. Also the Act provides for a minimum renters’ quota of 20% after the first year. Thus, the field of possible negotiation is narrow.