HC Deb 19 March 1959 vol 602 cc609-10
14. Mr. Warbey

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an estimate of the total expenditure on advertising in the United Kingdom in 1958, and of the total amount spent in the same year on sales promotion of all forms by British firms in overseas markets.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

No official estimates are made. The latest estimate have seen for advertising in the United Kingdom is £334 million for 1957 made by the Advertising Association.

Mr. Warbey

Is the Minister aware that the United Kingdom figure is now approaching £400 million and that there are estimates that our advertising in overseas markets is only about £13 million? In view of that enormous disparity, will he consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer in order to consider ways of discouraging extravagant and frivolous advertising in this country and encouraging it where it can be used to the best advantage?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

No, Sir, I certainly will not. I would point out that advertising expenditure now represents about the same proportion of the national income as before the war.