§ 66. Lieutenant William Shepherdasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps he is taking to reduce the abnormal Government expenditure of£737,000 in Press advertising which took place in the six months ended 31st December, 1945.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThe level of Press advertising has been the subject of careful review in connection with the establishment of the new Government Information Office, but I regret that no decrease is considered practicable at present.
§ Lieutenant ShepherdWill the Minister say why Ministries cannot adopt a single column advertisement, as commercial firms are compelled to do? Why should they have a double column?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Lieutenant ShepherdIt does.
§ Major BruceIn view of the continuous Press campaign of misrepresentation against the Government recently, would not the Minister consider increasing vastly his expenditure on advertising?
§ Earl WintertonCan the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to consider what the Member behind is advocating and see that this money is not used for political purposes?
§ Mr. Glenvil HallI was asked a definite question, and the question which the Noble Lord now puts to me is quite irrelevant.
§ Earl WintertonThen I give the hon. Gentleman notice that I will raise this on the Adjournment. It is a disgraceful accusation.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallThe Noble Lord has his remedy.
§ Major BruceOn a point of Order. Is it in Order for the Noble Lord to say my accusation is disgraceful?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is not out of Order.