§ 15. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amount that it is proposed to spend on research and publicity through the Empire Marketing Board in 1931 as compared with previous years?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)Subject to the necessary provision being made by Parliament, it is proposed to spend from the Empire Marketing Fund, in 1931, £425,000 on research and £105,000 on publicity. The approximate amounts spent in the last few years on these services have been respectively as follows:
- On Research.—£121,000 in 1927, £232,000 in 1928, £377,000 in 1929, and £476,000 in 1930.
- On Publicity.—2238,000 in 1927, £278,000 in 1928, £222,000 in 1929, and £2213,000 in 1930.
§ 17. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any tangible evidence has been produced of the commercial value of the expenditure incurred by the Empire Marketing Board?
§ Mr. THOMASIt is impossible to assess the commercial results of the Board's work in the wide field of Empire production with which its research, marketing and publicity activities are concerned. Individual instances, however, are frequently brought to notice in which the work of the Board has been of direct commercial advantage to Empire producers, both at home and overseas.
§ Mr. WHITEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that this publicity gives full value for the £105,000 which he proposes to spend on it?
§ Mr. THOMASI know that there is a number of people who dispute the value of this expenditure, especially those engaged in other kinds of publicity.
§ Mr. HANNONIs it not a fact that the trade organisations in the Dominions, whenever they have had the opportunity, have expressed appreciation of the admirable work that is being done by the Board?
§ Mr. THOMASThe Imperial Conference unanimously commended it.
§ Mr. MANDERDo they make any contribution towards it?
§ Mr. HAYCOCKIf there is such appreciation, why is there not reciprocity on the part of the Dominions?