§ 50. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had, and what correspondence he has exchanged, with the advertising industry about the setting up of the Advertising Standards Authority; and if he will publish the correspondence.
§ Mr. D. PriceWhen my right hon. Friend heard towards the end of last year that the Advertising Association was proposing to set up this body, he arranged for the then Chairman of the Association to be informed by the Department that he welcomed this initiative. Subsequently, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance speaking as Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, at the Association's Annual Conference in May, gave a general welcome to these proposals on behalf of the Government.
A summary of my right hon. Friend's speech appeared in the Board of Trade Journal of 18th May, 1962.
The following are the texts of the letters which my right hon. Friend recently exchanged with the President of the Advertising Association:
13th July, 1962.
The Rt. Hon. F. J. ERROLL, M.P.,
I am very happy to let you know that Sir Arnold Plant who recently agreed to become Chairman of the Advertising Standards Authority has now completed the membership of the Authority, which you may remember is to consist of the independent Chairman himself, of five persons experienced in advertising and of five independent persons. The following have accepted his invitation to serve on the Authority:—
Advertising Members:
R. A. Bevan, O.B.E., M.A., FIPA, Chairman, S. H. Benson Ltd.; President, Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, 1961.
A. C. Buck, Director, Reckitt & Sons Ltd., Hull; President, Incorporated Society of British Advertisers.
Howard Thomas, Managing Director, A.B.C. Television Ltd.; Chairman, Independent Television Companies Association.
Charles W. V. Truefitt, Director, Associated Newspapers Ltd.
R. Craig Wood, B.Sc, Managing Director, AEI—Hotpoint Ltd.; Director, Associated Electrical Industries Ltd.
54WIndependent Members:
Victor Feather, Assistant General Secretary, Trades Union Congress.
Sir John Hawton, K.C.B., Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, 1951–60.
Mrs. Julia Hood, Housewife with two children; formerly lecturer in economics.
Dame Alix Meynell, D.B.E., Under-Secretary, Board of Trade, 1946–55; called to the Bar, 1956.
Mr. H. W. F. Franklin, Headmaster, Epsom College.
It is proposed to issue immediately a statement to the Press announcing these names and a Press Conference will be arranged after the Authority has held a preliminary and informal meeting.
Bearing in mind the very encouraging statement by the Parliamentary Secretary at our recent Conference at Eastbourne, I feel sure you will be glad to have this information.
(Signed) G. R. POPE.
17th July, 1962.
Dear Mr. POPE,
Thank you for your letter dated 13th July telling me that Sir Arnold Plant has com. pleted the membership of the Advertising Standards Authority. It looks to me as if he has collected a strong and well balanced team whose views will be accepted as impartial and authoritative guides by the media owners, by advertisers and by their agents, particularly on these difficult issues which turn on matters of taste and judgment. I am confident that this Authority will, by its decisions, ensure for British advertising, the maintenance and, where necessary, the enhancement of its reputation as a reliable link between producers, distributors and consumers, thus establishing, in the minds of the public, respect for its decisions. The achievement of such a result can only redound to the credit of our industry and our trade, both here and overseas, and so promote and strengthen our economy.
You are, of course, at Liberty to publish this letter or any parts if you wish to do so.
(Signed) F. J. ERROLL.