HC Deb 26 November 1941 vol 376 cc759-60
69. Major Lloyd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply, whether he is aware that considerable public indignation has been aroused by the issue to individual consumers of a pledge form and other leaflets concerning economy in all types of fuel, in view of the intensified waste-paper salvage campaign now being conducted by his Department; and why paper supplies were allocated to the gas and electricity supply industries concerned for this purpose?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 19th November by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines, who informs me that he is satisfied that the effect of the pamphlet far outweighs the small expenditure in paper which was made available in connection with the national fuel economy campaign.

Major Lloyd

Is it not a fact that the issue of leaflets to every household in the land must consume a very substantial amount of paper, and does the hon. Gentleman really believe that the number of returns will compensate for this grave waste of paper?

Mr. Macmillan

The Ministry of Supply wishes to reduce the use of paper. Naturally we have our own desires, but we must work in with the other Ministries.

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Why does the Ministry of Supply allow the Mines Department, who cannot provide coal, to waste paper?