76. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of their educational value, he will grant a general licence to booksellers to print and distribute catalogues?
Mr. ROBERTSI regret that I cannot see my way to exempt booksellers' catalogues from the general restriction.
§ Mr. HOGGEWould not my hon. Friend consider the question of making an exception in the case of the catalogues of second-hand booksellers and those who collect old books, seeing that they cannot sell them in any other way?
§ Sir F. LOWEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this restriction is inflicting very great hardship on booksellers, who entirely depend upon the distribution of catalogues for the carrying on of their trade?
§ Sir F. LOWEYes; but it does not necessarily mean that they must be ruined.
§ 80. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of paper, his attention has been called to a circular being issued broadcast inviting subscriptions for a new monthly paper, published on 7th March, called the "Tariff Reformer"; whether there is any prohibition against the issue of new papers either monthly or other wise; and whether, in view of reserving present stocks and existing supplies of paper for established newspapers and journals, he will consider whether a licence should be issued by his Department before any new newspaper is allowed to be published?
Mr. ROBERTSAs I have already stated, the Government deprecate the starting of new newspapers at the present time. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the existence of the new Issues Committee, which deals with applications for permission to issue capital for this purpose among others. I will consult the Paper Commission as to the desirability of any further measure.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHave not the Government started newspapers of their own in she various Departments?