The DCMS paper specifically seeks comments on the establishment and constitution of the Film Council. Our previous experience of industry bodies such as the British Film Commission or indeed the FPRG is that trade union representation is often absent, marginalised or only obtained after specific lobbying. We would not like to see this pattern repeated. We are, above all, a labour-intensive industry. Too often this legitimate labour force interest seems to be ignored or downplayed in industry bodies.
Corporate interests are traditionally well represented.
Finally, we wish to make a specific point in relation to employees of those bodies due to be directly subsumed into the proposed Film Council. We support the key proposal for the establishment of the Film Council as the strategic lead body for the industry. Continued strong support for the proposed All-Industry Fund will be necessary to achieve this. The Film Council itself should represent all sides of industry - and should specifically include trade union representation on behalf of the key labour force interest. We look forward to the further development of the proposal and to its successful implementation.