HC Deb 06 November 1975 vol 899 cc235-6W
Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Lord President of the Council whether all the normal cost efficiency criteria were applied in relation to the Morning Star before the decision was taken to place the advertisements in support of the Government's counter-inflation policy in that newspaper.

Mr. Edward Short

The counter-inflation campaign is regarded by the Government as a special campaign to which the normal considerations governing the use of media for Government advertising do not apply.

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Lord President of the Council whether figures for circulation were obtained from the Morning Star before the advertisement in support of the Government's counter-inflation policy was placed in that newspaper.

Mr. Edward Short

The circulation figure claimed by theMorning Star was known to the Government before the advertisement in question was placed.

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Lord President of the Council whether any account was taken of editorial policy in deciding whether to place advertisements in national newspapers in support of the Government's counter-inflation policy.

Mr. Edward Short

The Government take no account of newspapers' editorial policies when placing advertising.

Forward to