§ 52. Mr. Profumoasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that advertising campaigns in connection with the various Departments of Her Majesty's Government are carried out almost entirely by London agencies; and whether he will consult with the Departments concerned with a view to placing these contracts more evenly among agencies throughout the United Kingdom.
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)The selection of agents to handle Government Press advertising is the responsibility of an independent committee composed of representatives of the Press and of commercial advertisers. This committee has on its approved list a total of 83 advertising agencies of which six are provincial and three are Scottish. One provincial and three Scottish agencies have in the past handled Government campaigns and one Scottish agency is at present handling one. In addition, there is a special arrangement of long standing between the Scottish Savings Committee and another Scottish agency.
§ Mr. ProfumoWhilst recognising that my hon. Friend has no powers of direction over these nationalised concerns, State Corporations, or public bodies, may I ask if he will call their attention to the fact that some similar arrangements within their orbit would be very valuable indeed?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNo doubt what my hon. Friend has said will be noticed by the persons directly responsible.