§ 29. Sir T. Mooreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the present arrangements to provide suitable magazines and other reading matter for the Merchant Navy; and whether the supply is adequate to the demand?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)Large numbers of books, magazines, newspapers and other periodicals are collected and given to the Merchant Navy by many voluntary societies and by other agencies. The Merchant Navy also receive a share of the books collected in post offices and in salvage drives. I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend, however, for this opportunity of saying that an even larger supply of reading matter could be used to great advantage, and that it would be much appreciated by the merchant seamen.
§ Mr. Edmund HarveyIs any provision being made by the Ministry itself to supply books, without relying on charity?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWe have the co-operation of the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Supply, the British Council and other Governmental agencies.