§ 54. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Supply whether any check is kept on the use of so-called free paper by jobbing printers; and whether he can make a statement on the use of such paper for books issued by new publishers?
§ 57. Mr. Jewsonasked the Minister of Supply why new publishing firms are allowed to use paper for books without restriction while established firms are restricted to a small quota?
§ Sir A. DuncanThe delivery of paper by manufacturers and merchants for the production of books is limited to book publishing businesses established before control was instituted or to their successors. Such publishers are allowed a fixed quota based upon pre-war usage, and are not permitted to acquire paper for book publishing outside this quota. Certain firms not having quotas have entered the business using paper from printers' and other stocks. Returns which have been obtained show the quantity of paper so used to be small and to be diminishing, but it is necessary for us to keep the position under review, bearing in mind also the effect of this practice upon the supplies for general printing purposes.
§ Mr. DribergIs not the Minister aware that there is a great shortage of established educational and medical textbooks, and would he not agree, in view of what he has said, that he ought to take more active steps to discourage the setting-up of new publishing businesses, some of them quite reputable but others much less so?
§ Sir A. DuncanI think we must keep this matter in perspective. The amount of paper used in this way is less than r per cent. of the allocations to general printing but in so far as it adds to the volume of books, then to that extent it meets the wishes of many hon. Members.
§ Mr. LindsayIn view of the large number of Questions on this subject, would the Minister consult with the Minister of Production on this matter and get judgment from the War Cabinet?
§ Sir A. DuncanI shall be glad to consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production; indeed, I am in consultation with him now.