asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many advertising agents applied to the Central Office of Information to act in the placing of Government advertising; how many have been so appointed; and what is the estimated total value of advertising involved.

Recognised advertising agencies applying to the Central Office of Information have their names added to a list from which appointments are made on the advice of an independent committee composed of representatives of the Press and of commercial advertisers. There are now 103 advertising agencies on the list and of these 19 have been appointed for campaigns to be undertaken in 1954–55. The annual value of the advertising is about £500,000.