§ 5. Mr. William Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total amount of money spent upon advertising in Y Cymro and Y Faner; and what is the basis upon which his Department allocates advertising.
§ Mr. George ThomasIn 1969, £395 was spent by the Welsh Office on advertisements in Y Cymro and £197 in 4 Y Faner. Welsh language advertisements are inserted in these newspapers when a national coverage is needed or where there is no local Welsh language newspaper.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs my right hon. Friend aware that the publishers of these newspapers greatly appreciate the fact that he strikes a fine balance between partiality and impartiality in granting advertisements to these papers? Though the editors of the papers concerned do not express the appreciation which is due to my right hon. Friend, people in Wales appreciate the support given to these papers.
§ Mr. ThomasI am much obliged to my hon. Friend. He is a little mistaken, because I have received from the Editor of Y Faner a very kind and appreciative letter about the part I am playing.
§ Mr. Gwynfor EvansIs the Secretary of State aware that the total amount spent by the Government in the Welsh language is disgracefully small?
§ Mr. ThomasI am aware that in the hon. Gentleman's eyes anything we do is wrong.