§ 37. Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the price fixed in the contract which was given to the film company which produced the cinematograph film on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board was the result of competitive offers or tenders for this production?
§ Mr. LUNNThe project of the film was experimental and its execution was largely dependent upon factors which could not be forecasted or controlled. It was therefore felt impossible to adopt the methods ordinarily followed by Government Departments in the placing of contracts. Its execution was entrusted to a selected British firm, and competitive tenders were not invited.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKWill the hon. Gentleman take note of the remarks of the Public Accounts Committee, recently published, on the subject?
§ 73. Mr. MANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will consider requesting the Empire Marketing Board to concentrate their work on research and marketing and to abandon their Press and poster publicity campaigns?
§ Mr. LUNNThese campaigns play a part in the achievement of the purpose for which the Empire Marketing Fund was granted, namely the furtherance of the marketing in this country of Empire products, including in the first place home agricultural produce. In these circumstances, I am not prepared to invite the Board to discontinue their activities in this field.
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not the usual custom for producers to bear the cost of advertising the goods they manufacture, and not for the consumer?
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNCan the hon. Member inform me what is the value of a poster which has in conjunction a pineapple and a tiger, provoking the question: do tigers eat pineapples?