HC Deb 20 May 1942 vol 380 cc232-3
43. Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that the fashion magazine "Vogue" continues to be published although it is largely devoted to luxury advertisements and each issue contains 30, 40 or more pages of heavy super-quality paper, and whether he will stop paper supplies to magazines of this type?

Mr. Lyttelton

This magazine, like others, is allowed to consume paper at the rate of 19½ per cent. of its pre-war usage, with a small addition in respect of export, and its advertisements are restricted to the same proportion of its space as pre-war. The policy has been to reduce paper supplies uniformly to all tyes of periodicals, and I think this is the best plan.

Mr. Griffiths

In view of the fact that papers which serve a really useful purpose are having their supplies of paper curtailed very severely, why is it that we allow a useless paper of this kind to circulate in the country?

Mr. Lyttelton

My hon. Friend will realise that the duty of wholesale censorship cannot be placed on the Production Departments, Very wide issues are raised by that Supplementary Question.

Mr. Griffiths

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a very widespread feeling in the country that luxuries of this kind, and advertisements of luxuries of this kind, are completely out of tune with the appeals which come from the Government?

Mr. Keeling

Is it not a fact that large numbers of each issue of this magazine are bought by the Ministry of Information and the British Council for distribution in neutral countries?

Mr. Lyttekon

I believe that is so.

Miss Eleanor Rathbone

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the whole system requires revision, and can he justify allowing paper to this mischievous publication while refusing it to the Channel Islands "Monthly Review"?

Mr. Lyttelton

I cannot deal with a question of such width by means of Question and answer?