§ 53. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of State whether he will re-examine the position of newspapers and the need of curtailment, both in the number printed and the advertisements contained in them, as this would save material and labour and direct it to a better use in the war effort?
§ Mr. AttleeMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The amount of newsprint for newspapers has been recently reviewed, and a further cut, which reduces it to about one-fifth of prewar consumption and a restriction on the amount of space devoted to advertisements, came into effect on 16th March.
§ Mr. TinkerIs my right hon. Friend aware that I have in my possession a newspaper which has printed 48 columns, of which 22 are advertisements, advertisements of articles the public are asked not to buy, and yet paper is being wasted on them, and cannot something be done?
§ Mr. AttleeIf my hon. Friend will send me the paper, I will look into it.
§ Mr. TinkerI have it here.
§ Sir W. BrassIs it really necessary to have evening papers published at 10.20 in the morning?
§ Mr. AttleeI have that matter under consideration.