§ 2. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Labour what has been the cost of advertising to promote interest in industrial training as set out in Command Paper No. 1892.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. William Whitelaw)No paid advertising has been used by the Government to promote interest in their proposals for industrial training as set out in Command Paper 1892.
§ Mr. BoydenIn view of that mutual agreement and the need for massive propaganda in this field, does the hon. Gentleman not agree that it is extraordinary that the Government can spend 3 nearly £22,000 on advertising the registration of gaming clubs and very little on this?
§ Mr. WhitelawI do not think so. These proposals were published as a White Paper to form a basis for discussion. They have received widespread attention in the Press and were debated in both Houses of Parliament. I do not think that the hon. Member suggested that paid advertising would be appropriate when the Bill was discussed in the House.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesWould the hon. Gentleman consider circulating at least a brief outline of the Act through the secondary schools and the technical colleges and have a joint conference between educationists and industrialists in various regions?
§ Mr. WhitelawYes, Sir. As soon as the Bill becomes an Act, all these points will be considered and we shall consider taking action on lines of this sort.
§ Mr. PrenticeNow that the Bill is likely to become law very shortly, does the hon. Gentleman not agree that there is need at this stage for the Government to make a big public relations effort to try to get these ideas across to as large a section of industry as possible?
§ Mr. WhitelawI assure the hon. Member that that is entirely our intention.