HC Deb 14 November 1955 vol 546 c29
45. Mr. Palmer

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to ensure equality of treatment as between the electricity and gas industries in the cutting back of promotional expenditure requested by the Government.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

Both have made substantial reductions, with results that are broadly equitable as between the two industries.

Mr. Palmer

Would the right hon. Gentleman care to say whether there has been a percentage cut or an absolute cut, in view of the well-known fact that the gas industry spends a great deal more in this direction than the electrical supply industry?

Mr. Lloyd

I think it is about 30 per cent.

Mr. Beswick

When he was resisting the demands of the Treasury on this matter, did the right hon. Gentleman point out that the aircraft industry spends a great deal of money on promotional advertising of military aircraft, which ought to be stopped before that of the gas and electricity industries?