§ 36. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the cost of the poster campaign of the Empire Marketing Board to the last convenient date; and if it is proposed to continue this form of propaganda indefinitely?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)The total cost of the Empire Marketing Board's poster campaign brought to account up to 31st March, 1930, amounted to £277,257 1s. 8d. The Board review their publicity activities from time to time. They have no present intention of discontinuing this campaign, and have made provision for its maintenance during the current year.
§ Mr. WHITEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable body of opinion which considers that this form of advertising has lost its novelty and consequently its effectiveness, and, if he contemplates any change in the methods of advertising, will he consider the interest taken in this matter by hon. Members above the Gangway and allow them to utilise it for advertising food taxes?
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill not the right hon. Gentleman indicate to the House that the money which has been expended already has been spent in the best interests of industry and should be increased?
§ Mr. THOMASIt is not necessary for me to make any reply as the two supplementary questions neutralise one another; but as far as general advertising is concerned, it is not in any way stereotyped. I gather that the Empire Marketing Board are adapting themselves to changed circumstances.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESHas not the British agriculturist some cause of complaint at the continued advertisement of goods supplied by his competitors?
§ Mr. HAYCOCKMay I ask whether there is any reciprocity as far as the Colonies are concerned; whether they advertise our goods and pay for the advertisements?
§ Mr. THOMASThere is another question on the Order Paper relating to that subject.
§ 37. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any films are at present in course of production on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board; whether these films are being made in Great Britain; can he state the name of the company which is producing them; and has any fixed sum been arranged for the production of these films?
§ Mr. THOMASA number of short films are at present being prepared for the Empire Marketing Board mainly by reediting existing material. Their production is being carried out wholly in this country. One film is being produced on the Board's behalf by Publicity Films, Limited. The production of the remainder is being supervised by New Era Productions Limited, under the direction of an officer of the Board, and within financial limits previously approved by the Board.
§ Mr. DAYMay I ask, in reference to these films, whether the right hon. Gentleman will see that when they are sold to a foreign country the captions are not altered in order to make them look as though they were produced in the foreign country?
§ Mr. THOMASI have not the least idea what the hon. Member means by the word "captions."
§ Mr. DAYIs it not the fact that one of our own films was sold to America and that the sub-heads, which are called captions, were altered to make it look as if it was produced in America?
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNAre any of these films concerned with British sea fisheries?
§ 38. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any organisations exist in the Dominions to encourage the purchase of British goods in the way that the Empire Marketing Board directs attention in this country to Empire produce; and, if not, whether, in conjunction with the Dominion Governments, he will consider the establishment of organisations for such purpose?
§ Mr. THOMASI am not aware of any organisation comparable with that of the Empire Marketing Board existing in any of the Dominions to encourage the purchase of United Kingdom goods. The initiative towards the establishment of a similar organisation in any of the Dominions would have to come from His Majesty's Government in that Dominion. If, however, any suggestion on the lines indicated in the hon. Member's question were put forward, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would certainly welcome it.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs it not desirable, in the interests of this country 949 and of the Dominions, that some system of co-ordination should be adopted and that the initiative should be undertaken by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. THOMASI not only think that, but I ask the House to appreciate the fact that the total cost of the Empire Marketing Board's propaganda is borne by this country. I have never hesitated to say, and, indeed, I have made representations, that the Dominions should reciprocate in their own countries.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it desirable that representations should be made from His Majesty's Government to the Dominions for some system of rceiprocity?