HC Deb 04 May 1954 vol 527 cc184-5
24. Sir W. Darling

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what functions are performed by the one chief illustrator, three senior illustrators and two leading illustrators who are employed at an annual cost of £5,592 in connection with the promotion of National Savings by the people.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Their main job is to help to produce posters, leaflets and other publications used by the 200,000 savings groups, the local savings committees, the banks, post offices and other organisations which are concerned with the work of the National Savings Movement.

Sir W. Darling

Are these illustrators responsible for the design of the "fritter bug," and is it intended to allow the establishment of similar illustrators in other Departments of the State?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am afraid that my entomology is not up to answering that question without notice.

Lieut-Colonel Lipton

While the right hon. Gentleman has described the main activities of these gentlemen, will he confirm whether it is part of their subsidiary activities to paint rosy pictures of the Treasury and what they are up to at the present time?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That work would be so unnecessary that one would not ask anyone to do it.

25. Sir W. Darling

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the reason for the increase of £108,813 in the outlays of the National Savings Committee.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The main reason for the increase is to meet the cost of a special campaign to increase savings which the National Savings Movement, with the full support of my right hon. Friend, is arranging to carry on towards the end of this year.

Sir W. Darling

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it would be an elementary saving not to expend this additional sum of £108,813 in the outlays of the National Savings Committee, and would it not be better to spend it in stimulating the trustee savings banks and other established organs of savings which cost the Exchequer nothing?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

This campaign is designed to enable the National Savings Movement generally, embracing all the savings organisations, to make a special effort to encourage savings, and my right hon. Friend is fully satisfied that the effort in the favourable circumstances of today is well worth the money.

26. Sir W. Darling

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much of the estimated increase in advertising by the National Savings Committee is to be expended in commercial television.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

None, Sir.

Sir W. Darling

Does my right hon. Friend tell me that this important advertising campaign, backed by the illustrators and the additional £108,000 which is to be spent, is ignoring the possibilities of commercial television?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Nothing is being ignored, but perhaps I had better not anticipate today's debate.

Mr. Woodburn

Would not the best saving be to spend no money upon commercial television?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That question does not arise out of the original Question, but I could not disagree with the right hon. Gentleman more.