§ 12. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to what extent the Empire Marketing Board, in accordance with the decision of the Imperial Conference, is carrying on publicity in oversea Empire countries; and whether the co-operation of such countries is being generally sought and obtained?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)The terms of the Estimate for Empire Marketing for the current year have been amended in accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Conference, and the Empire Marketing Board contemplate certain experiments in publicity overseas which they have approved as in keeping with the discussions of the Imperial Conference on this subject.
§ Mr. MANDERHave they done anything yet in the way of reciprocity between this country and the Dominions except to raise their tariffs?
§ Mr. THOMASWith regard to advertisement Overseas for this country, they are dealing with that side of the question now, and I hope they will succeed.
§ Sir ASSHETON POWNALLWill this country pay for its publicity overseas, or will it be paid for by the Dominions?
§ Mr. THOMASUnder the terms of the Empire Marketing Board's grant, the money is found by this country, but I am equally open to receive any grants from the Dominions.
§ 15. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amount which has been expended by the Empire Marketing Board upon advertisements in the national Press and in trade and local papers during the 12 months to 31st May, 1931; and if he can make any estimate of the value of these sections of the Press, respectively, in arousing public interest in the sale of British and Dominion produce?
§ Mr. THOMASThe total amount expended from the Empire Marketing Fund upon newspaper advertisements during the 12 months to 31st May, 1931, was £23,758 4s. 1d. Of this amount, £11,545 was in respect of advertisements inserted in the national Press, and £12,213 in respect of insertions in trade and local papers. The Board are satisfied that all the media employed have contributed towards increasing public interest in the sale of Empire produce, but it would obviously be difficult to draw distinctions as to their relative value.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman endeavour, through the experts in his Department, to ascertain the comparative merits of the respective methods of advertisement employed by the Empire Marketing Board, so that possibly economies might be effected in the total expenditure?
§ Mr. THOMASThis is like most other matters that are referred to experts; in the main, common sense determines it, and not experts.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARDAre we to understand that the expense of advertising for the Dominions in this country is entirely borne by the taxpayers of this country?
§ Mr. THOMASCertainly. As I have explained repeatedly, when criticisms have been made about the Old Country's contribution to the Empire, every copper expended by the Empire Marketing 1224 Board is found by the British taxpayer, and in the main it is directed to advertising Empire goods.
§ Captain CAZALETHas any money been spent on advertising British goods in the papers in the Dominions?
§ Mr. THOMASThat is the same question which was put to me earlier. The change made at the last Imperial Conference enables us to do that now, but, again, it is a very difficult matter to say to the Dominions, "We want you to advertise British goods"; and, if they are competing in the same goods, there is a reluctance to do so.
§ Mr. MANDERHave the Dominions made any contribution?