HC Deb 02 December 1942 vol 385 c1151
46. Mr. Brooke

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that trade and technical journals are an essential medium for keeping alive the goodwill of British industries in overseas markets with which export trade during war is practically in suspense, but that existing paper restrictions prevent them from properly performing this service which could now be of great value to employment in Britain after the war; and whether he will therefore increase the present inadequate paper allowances to these journals for export purposes?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Production (Mr. Garro Jones)

Journals whose circulation covers overseas markets are given supplementary rations of paper in respect of their export circulation. In the present stringent paper supply position my right hon. Friend cannot make any increase in this concession.

Mr. Brooke

Will the hon. Gentleman look into the matter again, because the total allowance granted in any case, including supplementary allowances, is less than one-third of the pre-war consumption for export? For papers circulating largely in South American markets that is definitely not enough.

Mr. Garro Jones

My hon. Friend has not got the proportion quite correct. There is a difference between the proportion granted in respect of journals whose circulation is wholly or mainly overseas and the proportion granted to journals whose circulation was only partly overseas before the war. In the former case they get a very large increase on their basic ration.

Mr. Higgs

Is not now the time to advertise British goods while Germany is not in a position to supply?