HC Deb 20 June 1944 vol 401 cc6-8
7 and 8. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will state the number of new publishing firms having started business since the beginning of the war; where they get the paper for the books they publish; and the nature of the books they publish.

(2) whether he can state the number of new publishing firms that have started business since the beginning to 1944; the nature of the books they publish; and where they get the paper for the books they publish.

Mr. Dalton

No record is kept in my Department of the numbers of new publishing firms that have started since the outbreak of war. Their output, like that of other publishers, is very mixed. As explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, in reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 20th October last, these firms use paper from printers' and other stocks, and returns, which have been made, show that the quantity of paper so used is small and diminishing and is, in fact, less than one per cent. of the allocations made to general printing.

Mr. Maclean

Is the Minister aware that there have been 100 new publishing firms started since the war and that this year seven have been started? Does he not think it rather foolish that in the fifth year of war these firms can get plenty of paper to print trashy novels while the Minister's advisory committee refuses paper for the printing of educational books?

Mr. Dalton

My hon. Friend has another Question about my advisory committee and educational books. As a matter of fact the Ministry of Supply, as the paper issuing authority, keep a record of these matters. These new firms are using together less than one per cent. of the total allocation for general printing—in actual figures between 220 and 230 tons for a four-monthly period. This is a very small figure.

Mr. Maclean

Is it not obvious that even that paper, under the control of the Board of Trade, could go a long way towards meeting the requirements of printers who are publishing educational books for the schools? Why should these new firms be allowed to get paper even from stock? It must have been a very big stock to allow all these firms to print this class of novel.

Mr. Driberg

How does the quantity mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman compare with the quantity used by publishers established before the war?

Mr. Dalton

I would like notice of that question. This is a joint responsibility of the Minister of Supply and myself. In many of these matters I have to seek information from him.

9. Mr. Neil Maclean

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Advisory Committee on paper supply to publishers is refusing paper for the publication of necessary educational books for the elementary and secondary schools in England, Scotland and Wales.

Mr. Dalton

Most of the paper used for publishing books, including school books, is allocated direct to the publishers, and the Committee to which my hon. Friend refers advises me only on the distribution of a small reserve. Figures for the last three months show that, contrary to my hon. Friend's suggestion, the Committee has recommended grants from this reserve to three-quarters of the applicants for extra paper for school books.

Mr. Maclean

Is the Minister not aware that a very good firm of publishers of educational books in Scotland have been refused paper to publish a book necessary for the schools in Scotland, and will he go into the matter more closely and find out whether there is anyone on his advisory committee who knows anything whatever about the educational system of Scotland and its requirements in relation to the schools?

Mr. Dalton

I will be glad to go into any further information which my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me. The firm he refers to is Robert Gibson and Sons. They have applied for paper to print a new edition of an arithmetic textbook. That would be equally desirable in Scotland or England; arithmetic is not specifically Scottish. The reason why this application has, for the moment, been refused is because this firm have an edition still at the binders; therefore this book will not run out of supply. It was thought that the application for more paper was premature. When there is a case for publishing more copies I am sure they will apply.

Mr. Bowles

If His Majesty's Stationery Office makes an application for more paper to have further reprints from HANSARD will the right hon. Gentleman see his way to help?

Mr. Dalton

Each case on its merits.

Mr. Maclean

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to inform the House why his advisory council refused this firm the printing of the necessary examination questions required in order that the scholars in Scotland could sit for their examination this year?

Mr. Dalton

My hon. Friend has been in correspondence with me on this earlier case. I have written to him a letter explaining the reasons for that decision.

Mr. Maclean

Yes, but they do not hold water.

Mr. Driberg

What percentage of the total amount of paper used for general printing is allocated for educational books?

Mr. Dalton

I cannot say that without notice, but my hon. Friend can take it from me that this Committee to which he refers have been instructed, and carry out their instructions, to give preference to essential books of educational, cultural, religious and public interest.