§ 62. Captain McEwenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether allotments of paper are only made to such publications as have been authorised and approved by his Department?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanNo, Sir; allotments are made in relation to pre-war consumption. The publication of new periodicals and newspapers is prohibited, except by special licence.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWhat has happened to the paper saved by the suppression of the "Daily Worker''?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingWill the hon. Gentleman consider reinstating a committee on the same lines as that which existed in the last war, which was very successful in allocating paper supplies?
§ Miss Eleanor RathboneIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the present system results in a great deal of waste of paper 1374 in publications not only wasteful but possibly mischievous, such as advertisements of articles of luxury clothing and so forth?
§ Mr. MacmillanThe present system is based upon the allocation of a proportion of the paper used before the war. If we were to make it a qualitative basis, it would involve difficult questions, and I think we should soon be accused of censorship.