§ 51. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is 214 aware of the large sums now being spent by various Departments on Press advertising; and whether he will consider setting up a special body of independent persons to decide upon the principle, amounts, and allocation of such expenditure, and thus release Ministers from the duty of deciding for or against such expenditure in general, or in the case of particular newspapers?
§ Sir J. SimonI am aware that there has been a certain increase recently in expenditure on advertising in the Press on the part of Government Departments. As the result of recommendations made by the Select Committee on Estimates in their last report, the question of establishing a special body to advise on the most effective and economical methods of publicity to be followed by Departments is now under active consideration.
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman do something to expedite a decision in regard to this matter, especially in view of the fact that it is not fair on some Ministers, and particularly those who depend more on the good will of the Press than on their own abilities for their reputation—[Interruption'].
§ Miss WilkinsonIs it a fact that by far the larger portion of the revenue from this advertising goes to papers which support the Government at the present time; and does the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the Corrupt Practices Act, that that is a desirable state of affairs?