HC Deb 10 December 1928 vol 223 cc1674-5
14. Mr. CRAWFURD

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if any portion of the £1,000,000 voted for the Empire Marketing Board is devoted to the subsidising of lectures held under the auspices of lecturing societies; and, if so, whether the syllabuses of such lectures are first approved by his Department?

Mr. AMERY

Yes, Sir. A portion of the Empire Marketing Fund is annually so devoted and the outlines of each lecture to be given are considered on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board before any individual lecture is subsidised.

Mr. CRAWFURD

How will a lecture on "Some Curiosities of Currency" help the sale of Empire goods?

Mr. AMERY

I am not aware of that particular lecture, but, certainly, care is taken to secure effective lectures which bear on the general policy of the Empire Marketing Board and the campaign has been a great success.

Mr. CRAWFURD

If I send the right hon. Gentleman an outline of the lecture referred to, will he then answer my supplementary question?

Mr. AMERY

I shall certainly be glad to see it.

Mr. RENNIE SMITH

Is there a special committee for dealing with these lectures?

Mr. AMERY

There is a publicity committee of the Empire Marketing Board which deals with them and an officer of that committee is delegated to look through the synopsis of each lecture.

15. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTANDOYLE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether it is proposed to extend the activities of the Empire Marketing Board to the Dominions in order to advocate there the benefits to Dominion trade with Great Britain of purchase of British manufactures?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to questions asked by himself and by the hon. Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece) on 14th November, to which there is at present nothing to add.