§ 39. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Minister of Defence to what extent commercial advertising is permitted in recruiting establishments of Her Majesty's Forces for the purposes of stimulating recruiting; and what payments have been received, from what firms, during the past twelve months.
§ Mr. WatkinsonCommercial advertising in recruiting offices is not allowed. This rule was broken in one case recently, and recruiting staffs have now been reminded of the rule. No payment was received from the firm.
§ Mr. YatesI am grateful for that Answer, but is the Minister aware that there has been much resentment in Birmingham caused by the display of certain posters, one of which read:
Those who were tired felt fresh,Those who were old felt new;Everyone sang as he marched along,' Guinness is good for you '.501 Is it not undesirable that Her Majesty's Forces should appear to go side by side with intoxicating drink? Will the Minister see that no such posters are again displayed, because the officer concerned seems to speak as though they will?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have already said that this practice is out of order and must be stopped. Perhaps I may comment that, if only Army recruitment were as successful as the sales of that particular beverage, I should be very pleased.