§ 67. Sir A. Maitlandasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that public efforts for the collection of wastepaper are likely to be neutralised by the waste of paper in some Government Departments; and if he will take steps to secure the strictest economising of paper in all Departments of State?
§ Captain CrookshankContinuous efforts have been made to secure economy in the use of paper by Government Departments, and large economies have in fact been effected. If my hon. Friend thinks that further economy can be effected in any particular case and will let me know of it, I shall be glad to investigate it further.
§ Sir A. MaitlandWill my right hon. and gallant Friend be good enough to make inquiry of the Ministry of Information? Is he aware that it seems to be a habit of that Ministry to send prospective visitors to Northern Ireland about 13 ozs. of the most innocuous and puerile propaganda it is possible to imagine?
§ Captain CrookshankAny questions about the Ministry of Information had better be asked of the Minister. This Question deals with paper in Government Departments generally. For nearly two years there has been in existence a paper shortage committee, consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Supply and the Stationery Office, which goes through all the demands for printing and paper.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonWill the Government stop the printing of official documents four times and sometimes five times over?
§ Mr. LipsonAre returns asked for from Government Departments as to the extent to which they have been able to reduce their demands on paper?
§ Captain CrookshankI car not say offhand, but the demands are being reduced because, among other reasons, of the shortage of the supply of paper.