§ 47. Sir. N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion 524 Affairs what has been the expenditure of the Empire Marketing Board to date on publicity and propaganda in respect of Empire products and home products, respectively?
§ Mr. AMERYThe expenditure incurred from the Empire Marketing Fund on publicity and propaganda from the commencement of the Board's work up to 31st March, 1928, amounts to £296,189 16s. 6d. No specific allocation is made for the advertising of produce from any individual country. The Board's policy is to create a general demand for Empire produce, including the produce of this country, and any apportionment of publicity expenditure on a territorial basis is therefore impossible.
§ Mr. HARRISWho decides what subjects should be advertised and what posters should be displayed?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Board is advised by a committee containing a number of eminent business men. The names of the committee are to be found in the Annual Report.
§ Mr. HARRISAre any farmers represented on the committee?
§ Mr. RILEYIs there any evidence of any substantial increase in Empire trade as a result of the expenditure on advertising?
§ Mr. AMERYI think there is every evidence that there has been a large increase in the purchase of Empire produce.
§ Mr. HARDIEHas there been any reduction, as far as the consumer is concerned, due to the money spent in advertising?
§ Mr. AMERYI think the consumer has got better quality, and an increase of Empire production tends to a reduction in cost.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all the goods advertised are sold at the very same price as other goods which do not come from the Empire, and who is taking the profit?
§ Mr. AMERYI am not aware of that fact, but it does not preclude increased Empire production contributing to a reduction of price.
§ Mr. HARDIEHow can the right hon. Gentleman say that when he cannot show a single reduction? I challenge him to show a reduction on any article.
§ 48. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the total annual amount of the salaries of the staff of the Empire Marketing Board?
§ Mr. AMERYFor the financial year 1923 provision of a sum of £29,070 has been made in the Estimates of the Dominions Office for the salaries of the staff of the Empire Marketing Board. A further sum of £3,500 has been provided in the same Vote for additional assistance which may become necessary in the course of the financial year either on the staff of the Board or the Imperial Economic Committee. The cost of the staff in question will be recovered from the Empire Marketing Fund.