§ 38. Mr. Tinkerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the feeling prevailing in regard to the number of newspapers printed and circulated when there is need of economy in material and labour; and will he give consideration to having the question examined to see if it could be to the national interest to deal with it as many other industries have been deal with under the Concentration of Industries Act?
§ Captain WaterhouseI would refer the Member to the Reply which was given to my hon. and learned Friend, the Member for Leicester East (Mr. Lyons) yesterday. There is no intention of including newspapers among the commodities covered by the concentration policy.
§ Mr. TinkerMay I ask whether it is the intention of the Department to take some action in the matter, and if not, what is the reason for not taking some action?
§ Captain WaterhouseMy right hon. Friend gave a negative reply yesterday to the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons). The reason is that we feel that we have already asked newspapers to make considerable sacrifices in the quantities of raw material they use.
§ Sir H. WilliamsHaving regard to the great enthusiasm of the newspapers for the policy of concentration, would it not be a good idea to apply it to them, public opinion being preserved by allowing each newspaper to have one column of leading article in the combined newspaper?
§ Captain WaterhouseMost newspapers have already concentrated themselves a great deal.
§ Mr. TinkerI am not satisfied with the reply, and I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first possible opportunity.