§ Q4. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Prime Minister whether he will set up an inter-departmental inquiry into the extent to which the advertising industry is controlled by United States companies.
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter is kept under review; and I do not think that a special inquiry is needed at present, Sir.
§ Mr. JenkinsDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the fact of keeping the matter under review has not prevented a situation in which only two of the top ten London advertising agents are now British-owned? Is not this a very serious development, in view of the very great influence of advertising agents nowadays, not only nationally, but internationally, and also in view of the key position they hold in communication?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not certain that they hold such a position in the ecenomy generally as would justify the same attitude being taken to them as one might take in regard to inward investment in some of our key industries. I should have to check the figures given by my hon. Friend before commenting on them. There is no reason to suppose that American-sponsored advertising agents do not work as hard for British 1547 clients as they would for American clients.
§ Mr. Stratton MillsIs the Prime Minister aware of the valuable contribution of American management and techniques to industry in Britain generally?
§ The Prime MinisterI have mentioned this on a number of occasions and have set out the criteria by which we judge inward investment and management generally. This Question, however, was about advertising, I am not sure that we have got all that gain coming to Britain by learning too much from American advertising methods.