HC Deb 12 December 1966 vol 738 cc9-10
11. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Labour how many people are at the moment employed in advertising agencies; and what steps he will take to redeploy them.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The numbers employed are not shown separately in the employment statistics. As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend will be aware that one of the objectives of the Selective Employment Tax is to encourage economy in the use of labour in services.

Mr. Roberts

Would my hon. Friend not agree, however, that ideally redeploy- ment should take place from unnecessary and useless occupations? Will she further agree that advertising is one of the most unnecessary services whose two major contributions to our society are the stepping up of prices and the spoiling of television programmes?

Mrs. Williams

While deploring some of the excesses which sometimes occur in the advertising industry, I do not accept that there is no part at all for it to play.

Mr. Ridley

Would not the hon. Lady agree that in this case, as in all cases, redeployment really means unemployment?

Mrs. Williams

I am not sure that that question requires an answer from me, as the hon. Gentleman seems to wish merely to make a point.