§ 29. Mr. Hurdasked the Lord Privy Seal if there is now an early prospect of additional supplies of newsprint becoming available to allow the newspapers to fulfil their functions more adequately; and what provision has been made for special allocations of newsprint during the period of a General Election.
§ Mr. StokesIn view of the need to restore stocks of newsprint to a safer level, I do not think that there is any early prospect of an increase in consumption by newspapers or other users. The 1176 question of special allocations to meet a General Election will be considered when the need arises.
§ Mr. HurdAs that need may possibly arise quite quickly, have the Newsprint Supply Company been authorised by the Government to issue, say, enough additional newsprint for another four pages on to the 1½d. paper during the period of the election so that they are all ready with their stocks to meet that demand?
§ Mr. StokesWe will have a look at that when the time comes. I do not anticipate that it will come in the immediate future.
§ Sir T. MooreIn view of the dramatic increase in the price of newsprint, does the right hon. Gentleman think that it will be possible to hold the General Election at all?