§ Sir A. YEOasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is the advertising agent of the Government, on what basis the tender was awarded; and if he has any 1833W objection to laying upon the Table the contract awarded to him?
§ Mr. BALDWINFour agents for Government advertising have been appointed by the Stationery Office for England and Wales, one for Scotland and one for Ireland, namely:—
England and Wales: Messrs. S. H. Benson, Limited, all of London. Messrs. Dorland's Agency, Limited, Messrs. C. Mitchell and Company, Limited, Messrs. Mather and Crowther, Limited, Scotland:
Messrs. Robertson and Scott, of Edinburgh.
Ireland:
Messrs. Kenny's Advertising Agency, of Dublin.
The Scottish and Irish contracts (which are relatively inconsiderable in amount) were placed as a result of open competition. As regards the contract for England and Wales, open competitive tenders were invited, but out of the forty-nine received many were clearly unsuitable for acceptance, and it may on the next occasion be preferable to resort either to selection or to competitive tender amongst selected firms. It was finally decided, after careful consideration and in view of the magnitude of the expenditure involved, to divide the work amongst the four firms mentioned above. I shall be happy to lay on the Table of the House a copy of the conditions of the contracts. Special arangements are made in certain cases such as advertising Loan Issue.
§ Sir R. COOPERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total estimated expenditure by all Government Departments for the present fiscal year on advertisements and notices in the British press?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIt will take a little time to collect the information, but I will communicate with the Departments concerned, and inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.