§ 80. Mr. STOREYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the terms of reference of the proposed departmental committee on coupon trading will include the investigation of free insurance of readers by newspapers?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)The composition and terms of reference of the proposed departmental committee are still under consideration.
§ Mr. STOREYWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that free insurance by newspapers is one of the most pernicious forms of gift trading, 2135 in that it increases the cost of advertising without any corresponding advantage to the advertiser?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am not going into the merits of that subject, but I may inform my hon. Friend that that is one of the topics under consideration.
Duchess of ATHOLLMay I ask Whether another form will be inquired into, namely, the practice of writing open letters to prominent people, conveying the suggestion that they wish to commend a particular commodity?
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill not the right hon. Gentleman just allow us to get a little of our own way in these matters without constantly interfering with us?