§ 70 and 71. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) what commission has been paid to firms of advertising agents through whom orders for Government press advertising have been placed;
(2) through how many firms of advertising agents are orders placed for Government press advertising; by whom these firms are selected; and to what extent other firms are eligible for consideration.
§ Mr. JayOrders for display press advertising by the Ministry of Food, the National Savings Committee and the Central Office of Information are at present placed through 24 firms. The agents are selected by an independent committee known as the Advisory Committee for the Appointment of Advertising Agents, composed of representatives60W of the Press and of commercial advertisers. Any advertising agency recognised by the Newspaper Proprietors' Association is eligible. No commission is paid by these Government Departments in respect of the arrangements described. The trade practice is that newspapers and periodicals allow a discount to the agent. A special arrangement of long standing exists between the Scottish Savings Committee and a particular firm in Scotland.