HC Deb 26 February 1930 vol 235 cc2238-9
58. Mr. SMITHERS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will arrange that the Empire Marketing Board posters shall be designed to advertise products and objects which it is desired to bring to the notice of the public, in view of the fact that the present posters are more ornamental than useful?

Mr. PALING (Lord of the Treasury)

I have been asked to reply. The board's posters are primarily designed to create a general background for the more specific advertisements undertaken by the Governments of various parts of the Empire, as well as by producers and others directly concerned in the sale of individual commodities. By way of illustration of the board's general theme of Empire buying, however, the posters have frequently drawn specific attention to particular products, which it is desired to bring to the notice of the public, and they will continue to do so within the limits of the board's general policy.

Mr. SMITHERS

Does not the hon. Member consider that the mental and artistic side is rather overdone, to the detriment of the sale of the products?

Mr. PALING

I will mention that to my hon. Friend.

Mr. ERNEST BROWN

Is the hon. Member aware that the other day a poster appeared showing a tiger and a pineapple, raising the question whether tigers eat pineapples?