HC Deb 10 February 1949 vol 461 cc532-3
51. Mr. Cooper

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of leaflets and organisational charts, describing the Regional Organisation for Industry, which have been distributed in each of the 11 Regions; who is responsible for this distribution; to what types of organisation and individuals this information is sent; and what other forms of publicity are intended to be given to the services that the Regional Organisation has to offer.

Mr. Jay

Fifty-seven thousand, five hundred leaflets and organisation charts describing the work of the Regional Boards for Industry have already been distributed by the Regional Boards to date. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the distribution in each Region. The Regional Boards for Industry are responsible for the distribution, which in general has been made to industrial firms, Chambers of Trade and Commerce, trade unions, trade associations and other bodies concerned with industry. Every opportunity is taken through the Press, broadcasting and other media to explain the work of the Boards, and as the booklets were issued as recently as the end of last year, it is considered that no further special form of publicity is for the time being necessary.

Mr. Cooper

Would not my hon. Friend agree that if the services of the Regional Organisation for Industry were more widely known, those services could be expanded in the interest of increasing industrial efficiency and productivity; and would he consider what further steps might be taken for this purpose, such as, for instance, the employment of films?

Mr. Jay

It is desirable that they should be widely known, but there must be some limit to the amount of public money spent on these things.

Major Bruce

Could these documents be made available to Members of Parliament?

Mr. Jay

I think they are already available to Members of Parliament.

Following are the details:

The figures for each Region are:

Northern 1,500
East and West Ridings 7,000
North Midland 3,500
Eastern 3,000
London and South Eastern 14,000
Southern 2,500
South Western 2,000
Wales 2,500
Midland 12,500
North Western 6,500
Scotland 2,500