§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policy his Department and statutory bodies concerning agriculture follow in the placing of advertisements directed at farmers in general; and whether he will ensure that the advertising appropriations in each departmental section and of the statutory bodies concerned are evenly spread across the full range of newspapers in rural areas and farming journals, including those published by the farming unions.
§ Mr. BishopIn placing advertisements my Department's policy is to secure the necessary coverage by the most cost-effective means, which varies according to the subject. In the case of statutory bodies for which I have any responsibility engaged in advertising they must be left free to make their own judgment of how their requirements can best be met.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much his Department spends on advertising in newspapers and journals in England; and whether he will list the number of regular notices which are inserted by his Department in any one year; (2) how much his Department spends on advertising in newspapers and journals in Wales; and whether he will list the number of regular notices which are inserted by his Department in any one year.
§ Mr. BishopMy Department spent about £68,000 on advertising in national and local newspapers and journals in the financial year 1974–75 including about £2,300 placed by my Welsh Department. Recruitment advertisements accounted for the major part of this expenditure but I will write to the hon. Member when I have more detail about the second part of his Questions.