60. Sir HILTON YOUNGasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion 386 Affairs whether any information is available as to the monetary return upon, or other positive results of, the expenditure of the Empire Marketing Board on posters?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Lunn)The Empire Marketing Board's publicity activities, including posters, are not of a character which makes it possible for any estimate to be made of their direct monetary returns or other positive results. The Board have, however, substantial evidence from the Press, the public and trade interests at home and overseas that their posters are an advantageous instrument of their policy of creating a background of interest in the subject of Empire buying.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYCan the hon. Gentleman not do something, or use his influence in some way, to see that these posters are made comprehensible?
§ 61. Mr. HURDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the proportions of Empire Marketing Board expenditure which have been directed to encourage British home and overseas Empire production, respectively, and the general character of the grants?
§ Mr. LUNNThe larger part of the Board's expenditure on publicity is intended to be in the general interest of Empire production both at home and overseas. Similarly, in nearly all cases the research work has an important bearing on problems arising both at home and in one or more oversea parts of the Empire. The general character of the grants made is set out in the Board's last Annual Report, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. HURDIs the hon. Gentleman convinced that the home producer is getting a fair "how in the work of the Empire Marketing Board?
§ Mr. LUNNAs far as I am informed, and as far as I have gone into the question, I think there is no reason for com-plaint by the home producer.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the Dominions and Colonies are reciprocating in this matter, 387 and whether there are posters on their hoardings asking that British goods should be bought there? Is it reciprocal?
§ Mr. LUNNI do not think there is any doubt, as far as the overseas parts of the Empire are concerned, that they are as much interested as we are.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKBut may I ask whether they spend money as we are spending money here—whether Government money is being spent by the Dominions to advertise British goods?
§ Mr. LUNNI am not called upon to answer a question of that sort, which is one for the Dominion Governments.
§ 62. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs why the Empire Marketing Board exhibited at their free cinema a film of life on board the American liner "Leviathan"; why no application was made, in the first instance to the Great British Atlantic steamship companies; and whether he will draw the attention of the Empire Marketing Board to the fact that the statement shown on the screen that the "Leviathan" is the largest ship in the world is not accepted by the owners of the "Majestic "?
§ Mr. LUNNI am informed by the Director of the Imperial Institute, who manages the cinema in question on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board, that this film was only exhibited after application to the usual source of supply had failed to elicit a suitable film of British shipping available for free display. The publicity given to the subject has now indicated that British shipping films are obtainable, and the film in question will not be exhibited again at the Imperial Institute. I will draw the attention of the Empire Marketing Board to the point made in the concluding part of the question.