§ 77. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the shortage of paper, he is aware that during the past year the smallest political party in the House published from the printing works which belong to it 304,000 pamphlets and 3,852,000 leaflets; and is priority in the supply of paper granted for the dissemination of matters of current political controversy as against the printing and publishing of circulars and posters devoted to the current business requirements of the country?
Mr. ROBERTSI have no information as regards the first part of the question. Representations have been received from the trades concerned in regard to the operation of the restriction upon the making of posters and the delivery of traders' catalogues and circulars, and are now under the consideration of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.
§ Major NEWMANMay I have an answer to the last part of my question?
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEThe Ulster party.
§ Sir C. HENRYIs it the intention of my hon. Friend to prohibit the circulation of political leaflets?
§ 78. Major NEWMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has during the past week received two deputations representing the printing, billposting, and kindred industries; whether the deputations requested that they should 1296 have the same liberty to use in the manner that they think best the supply of paper allotted to them as is accorded to the newspaper industry; and what answer has he been able to make on this and other points submitted to him?
Mr. ROBERTSDeputations were received last week on this subject, and the views submitted are now receiving careful consideration.
§ Major NEWMANIs it a fact that new Regulations are about to be issued dealing with restrictions on paper?