§ 33. Mr. John Wellsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of an advertisement on 31st July in theSunday Timesheaded, "Do you find our customs exasperating"; in how many other newspapers or other advertising media similar advertisements have been inserted by the Customs and Excise; and if he will discontinue such advertising in view of the present financial difficulty and curtailed travelling.
§ Mr. Diamond£1,096; seven other newspapers or weekly publications. There would be no advantage or financial saving in curtailing this small campaign; it is due to end in mid-August.
§ Mr. WellsIs the Chief Secretary aware that this absurd and frivolous advertisement has caused a great deal of offence to many people? As the present Government have broken so many promises, they might well cancel this advertisement and nobody would miss it.
§ Mr. DiamondNo, I am not so aware. In fact, there has been considerably increased co-operation on passage through the Customs as the result of this advertisement. Some 50,000 requests have been made to Customs headquarters for this helpful pamphlet. There have been precisely two protests at the expenditure.