HC Deb 24 May 1944 vol 400 c741
47. Mr. Silkin

asked the Minister of Production whether the increased allocation of newsprint not taken up by some newspapers can be allocated to other newspapers of a serious character, for which the demand is greatly in excess of the present supply.

The Minister of Production (Mr. Lyttelton)

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. T. J. Brooks), on 17th May, virtually all the increased allocation of newsprint is now being used. I could not, in any case, agree that an additional allowance should be made to any newspaper on the grounds suggested, as this would involve attempting to discriminate between newspapers according to their nature and contents.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Is there not something grotesque about the distribution of newsprint on a basis which results in a situation in which half of "Everyman" is out of print and the "News of the World" can publish 4,500,000 copies?