§ 51. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what activities previously performed by the Empire Marketing Board have since its abolition been discontinued?
Marquess of HARTINGTONBroadly speaking, the activities of the late Empire Marketing Board which were discontinued were those relating to publicity and market promotion in this country on behalf of Empire products. This does not of course mean that such activities ceased altogether, since many of the Governments concerned are themselves active in these directions on their own behalf.
§ Mr. SANDYSDoes not my Noble Friend consider it regrettable that as a result of the abolition of the Empire Marketing Board important functions of 877 this kind are not being performed except to a very much less degree?
Marquess of HARTINGTONWhenever the Dominion Government concerned thinks they are important they are being performed.
§ Mr. MABANECan the Noble Lord say to what use the various sites for posters are being put?
§ 52. Mr. SANDYSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs which Dominion Governments expressed the wish that the Empire Marketing Board should be abolished; and what were the reasons given?
Marquess of HARTINGTONI would refer the hon. Member to the statement issued to the Press on 8th August, 1933, of which I have already sent him a copy. It will be seen from that statement that all the Dominion Governments accepted generally the recommendations made by the Imperial Committee on Economic Consultation and Co-operation. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the report of the committee itself (Cmd. 4335).
§ Sir P. HANNONIn view of the great value that the Empire Marketing Board was to inter-Imperial trade, do His Majesty's Government contemplate taking into consideration the possibility of its re-establishment?
§ Mr. LUNNIn view of the fact that the Empire Marketing Board was recognised as the most helpful organisation we have ever had for the Dominions and Colonies, will the Noble Lord give the real reason it was discontinued, namely, because the Dominions did not and would not agree to contribute a penny to it?
§ Mr. MAXTONAnd because we were too mean to pay for it.
§ Mr. SANDYSDoes my Noble Friend accept the suggestion of the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn)?
Marquess of HARTINGTONThat is approximately the case. As my right hon. Friend told the House a few days ago, the reason it was discontinued was that the majority of Dominions expressed 878 the view that they would not be getting value for the money spent.