§ 36. Mr. HARRISasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the cost of the poster displaying a map of the British Empire; how many have been distributed; and what is the cost of the bill posting of the same?
§ Mr. AMERYI have been asked to reply to this question. The total cost to the Empire Marketing Board of the production of this poster is £1,398 3s. 9d. 4,125 copies have been distributed up to the present. It is not possible to distinguish the cost of posting this poster from the cost of posting the numerous other posters issued by the Board; and I regret, therefore, that I cannot answer the last part of the question. I may add, in case the information may be of interest to the House generally and to the hon. Member, that copies of this poster may be purchased by the public for 7s. 6d. post free from the Controller, His Majesty's Stationery Office. Small reproductions will shortly be available for sale at 1s. 6d. post free.
§ Mr. HARRISWould not this expense be more appropriately debited to the Board of Education, as the matter is purely of an educational character, and can it be said to be of direct assistance in the sale of New Zealand mutton or Australian apples?
§ Mr. AMERYThe work of the Empire Marketing Board is necessarily to a large extent of an educational character, in order to educate the public to take a greater interest in Empire produce.
§ Brigadier - General Sir HENRY CROFTIs it not a fact that, by this means the Liberal party will learn that there are countries other than our own?
§ Mr. MONTAGUECan the right hon. Gentleman say what method of projection was used in making that map?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs it not a fact that the cost of this poster is more than offset by the advantages of advertising the Empire, which would not receive similar advertisement from those who represent Little England?