HC Deb 15 October 1941 vol 374 cc1373-4
62. Captain McEwen

asked 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 Macmillan

No, 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 Davies

What has happened to the paper saved by the suppression of the "Daily Worker''?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Will 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 Rathbone

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present system results in a great deal of waste of paper in publications not only wasteful but possibly mischievous, such as advertisements of articles of luxury clothing and so forth?

Mr. Macmillan

The 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.