HC Deb 12 June 1941 vol 372 cc339-40
65 Viscountess Astor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much each Ministry and Department has spent since the beginning of the war on Press and poster publicity, such as the "Fifth Column" campaign?

Sir K. Wood

As the answer contains a number of figures, I am circulating it in the Official Report. The total expenditure on Press and poster advertising incurred by or on behalf of all Government Departments from the outbreak of the war to date is estimated to have been rather more than —2,500,000. Of this sum the expenditure on the Ministry of Information's "Silent Column" Press advertising campaign and anti-gossip posters was about —45,000.

Viscountess Astor

Is my right hon. Friend quite certain that this money has been spent only on advertising things for the Government? Has not some of it been spent purely on advertising Ministers?

Sir K. Wood

Of the total amount, I may mention that a sum of —834,100 has been in respect of the War Savings Campaign, and that another item which takes a considerable amount is the Ministry of Food at —565,000.

Viscountess Astor

Is my right hon. Friend quite satisfied that the Government have not over-advertised certain Ministries?

Mr. Davidson

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask national newspapers, such as the London "Times," to reduce then-advertising rates?

Viscountess Astor

The hon. Member does not have to pay for that.

Following is the answer:

Department. Press Advertising and Posters.
Total,
Expenditure (approximate estimate).
£
Admiralty 11,500
Air Ministry 190,500
War Office 48,000
Agriculture 97,300
Education 700
Food 565,000
Health 39.500
Home Office and Home Security 104,100
Information 313,100
Labour and National Service 87,600
Mines 41,300
National Debt Services 25,000
Overseas Trade 400
Post Office 16,300
Supply 65,600
Trade 31,100
War Transport 84,600
Works and Buildings 7,000
Agriculture, Scotland 4,000
Health, Scotland 2,100
National Savings Committee 792,700
Scottish Savings Committee 41,400
Grand total £2,568,800

For the purpose of this statement the allied or agency, services performed by the Ministry of Information and the Stationery Office have been allocated to the various Departments on whose behalf the services have been performed. The figures necessarily represent only a broad approximation.