§ 1. Mr. Blakerasked the Postmaster-General why it was decided to place in Life Magazine, Atlantic Edition, of 4th September, 1967, a full page advertisement by the Post Office about the Marine, &c. Broadcasting (Offences) Act at a cost of £1,190.
§ The Postmaster-General (Mr. Edward Short)To ensure that those most likely to be affected by changes in the U.K. law on broadcasting transmissions were aware of the situation, advertisements were placed in specialist publications and local newspapers. These were selected on the advice of advertising agents.
§ Mr. BlakerAssuming that there was any justification for putting advertisements out of this kind, which I do not accept, was it not rather odd to put this one in a foreign publication? In what area does the Atlantic edition of Life circulate?
§ Mr. ShortIt circulates in Europe and has a circulation of about 250,000. It numbers among its readers the top businessmen in Europe. It was very important that they should be aware of the provisions of the Act. Justification for the advertisement is shown by the fact that we have not so far had to prosecute anyone under the Act.
§ Mr. BryanIs this not really a pathetic and infuriating way of squandering Post Office money, especially in a year when Post Office charges are going up? Britain is only one of the 20 countries in which this magazine cir- 1462 culates. Who wants the Spaniards and the Yugoslays and the rest to know about the Act? Is it to be the practice of the Government to spend up to £20,000 on each Act as it goes through?
§ Mr. ShortThat is a rather silly question. In any case, Post Office charges are not going up this year. If the hon. Gentleman would like me to put in the Library a list of the expenditure incurred by the Conservative Government in publicising their legislation, I would be glad to do so.