§ 34. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the publication, the Shopper's Guide, is a quarterly periodical with a subscription of 10s. per annum which is not in immediate supply at either stationers' shops or bookstalls; and, in view of the subsidy which he is paying towards this periodical, what information he possesses concerning the number of its circulation and its methods of distribution, and the extent to which this publication is used as a guide by the average shopper.
§ Mr. ErrollThe special Government grant of £10,000 to the British Standards Institution is a contribution towards its general work for the domestic consumer and is not specifically for Shopper's Guide. I understand that about 23,000 copies are distributed to subscribers to the associate scheme of the Consumer Advisory Council of the Institution.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my hon. Friend aware that when his right hon. Friend answered a Question a few weeks ago it was 221 specifically stated that part of the subsidy was for the Shopper's Guide? Is he aware that when I endeavoured to obtain a copy of this periodical from my stationers, I found it was not available? Cannot he insist on a better distribution in return for the subsidy which is being paid?
§ Mr. ErrollThe method of distribution is, quite properly, decided by the Consumer Advisory Council. The advantages of this method are that distribution is very cheap and efficient.