§ 52. Mr. HILTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he is aware that the grant of £1,000,000 per annum to the Empire Marketing Board is not being fully utilised; and if he can direct that a portion of this surplus be used to advertise Lancashire cotton goods in the various parts of the Empire?
§ Mr. AMERYThe programme of the Empire Marketing Board is planned for development over a period of years and its resources are being conserved accordingly. The Empire Marketing Board, moreover, is confined by the terms of the Parliamentary Vote to the furtherance of marketing in this country, so that in any case I could not give the direction which my hon. Friend desires.
Sir WILFRID SUDDENIs it not a fact that the Lancashire market would be perceptibly helped if my hon. Friend's suggestions were adopted?
§ Mr. AMERYThis money is being spent on the marketing of Empire produce in this country in fulfilment of a pledge given to the Dominion Governments in 1923. It could not, therefore, well be spent on encouragment of British sales in the Empire outside.
§ Mr. HILTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the whole of the money is not being spent and that there is a surplus accumulated, and we are asking if this can be utilised instead of lying dormant?