HC Deb 06 February 1940 vol 357 cc36-7
72. Mr. Markham

asked the Minister of Supply whether he can now make a statement on the subject of paper rationing or control?

The Minister of Supply (Mr. Burgin)

A scheme for rationing paper is under consideration and an Order will shortly be issued under the Defence Regulations by which mills will be prohibited, except under licence, from supplying more than a proportion of the paper hitherto supplied to their customers.

Mr. Markham

Can the right hon. Gentleman define "shortly" more closely?

Mr. Burgin

The Order is now in draft and it is expected to be issued in a few days. It will come into effect some time later in the year.

73. Mr. Markham

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that certain firms, anticipating paper rationing, have urged their customers to place 12 months or two year contracts with them in the hope of evading control; and whether he proposes to take steps to deal with this situation?

Mr. Burgin

I am informed that such contracts are being negotiated in certain cases. As has already been announced in the Press, applications under the rationing scheme for additional supplies of paper will be considered only in special cases in respect of contracts made between the 23rd January and the 2nd February, and no application will be considered on the sole ground of a contract made after the latter date.

Mr. Markham

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are some firms persuading customers to put in two year contracts in anticipation of rationing before 23rd January, and will he take those cases into consideration?

Mr. Burgin

I will certainly take them into consideration, but a Press notice has been issued in which I think the first date on which there was any suggestion of rationing was 23rd January. It would be difficult to deal with any matter of a commercial contractual character prior to the first announcement of an intention to ration.