§ 50. Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will state the names of the officers of the Empire Marketing Board who supervised and directed the making of. the film that was made on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board, and can he give the names of the officers of other Government Departments who worked in conjunction with the Empire Marketing Board for the purpose of making this film; and will he state the number of feet of film that was originally taken for this production and the number of feet of film finally shown?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Lunn)My hon. Friend will appreciate that Civil Servants in the discharge of their official duties act under the authority of Ministers who alone are responsible to Parliament for the efficient conduct of the Departments under their control; and that it would be contrary to well established practice—as indeed in such circumstances it would be inappropriate—to publish the names of officers engaged, under ministerial direction, on the execution of particular items of Departmental business. The production in question extends to 3,746 feet. I am satisfied that the amount of film originally taken bore a reasonable relation to the amounts which have been, and are still being, used both for this production and for other purposes related to the Board's work. It is impossible, however, to separate the exact footage attributable to this production.
§ Mr. DAYCan the Under-Secretary say how many feet of this film were destroyed, and is it not a fact that only half of the film taken was originally displayed?
§ Mr. LUNNI think it is safe to say that the proportion of the film displayed 426 was quite equal to what it is in an ordinary case. We have made three films already, and others are likely to be made out of what is left.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSWhere can this film be seen?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs this the drifter scene?
§ Mr. SAMUELThen will the hon. Gentleman accept my assurance that it is wholly admirable, and that there is no fault to find with it?
§ 51. Mr. MANDERasked the Under- Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what contributions have been made during the last three years by the Dominions to the publicity side of the Empire Marketing Board's work?
§ Mr. LUNNAs I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 19th February, no contributions to the Empire Marketing Fund for publicity purposes have been invited from, or made by, the Dominions. On the other hand Dominion Governments and other Dominion interests have directly assisted the Board's work in this country by displays in exhibition pavilions set up by the Board, by advertising campaigns and in various other ways.
§ Mr. MANDERDoes the hon. Member not think it would be reasonable to ask the Dominions to bear some share of the cost of persuading us to buy their goods?
§ Mr. HAYCOCKWill the Under-Secretary ask the Colonial Governments to reciprocate and advertise our goods in their markets?
§ 52. Miss WILKINSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he proposes to appoint any women to the Empire Marketing Board in view of the importance of securing the co-operation of British housewives in the work of the board?
§ Mr. LUNNThe importance of securing the co-operation of British housewives is appreciated by the Empire Marketing 427 Board and the best methods of enlisting it are at present receiving consideration. I hope we may be able to adopt my hon. Friend's suggeston at an early date.