§ 10. Sir George Schusterasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that important British industrial companies who have been accustomed to do large export business are unable to obtain allocations of paper for printing new export catalogues, even for limited distribution to their agents, distributors and large customers abroad; and whether he proposes to take any steps to get this handicap removed.
§ Mr. DaltonThere is a small allocation of paper for trade catalogues and I am in touch with my right hon. Friends, the Ministers of Supply and Production regarding the possibility of making special provision for catalogues for distribution abroad.
§ Sir G. SchusterWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the way these applications are handled by his Department? Will he take note of the fact that there is a general impression among manufacturers that their inquiries are not helpfully dealt with and that where smaller supplies are available they are not given a chance of modifying their request?
§ Mr. DaltonI will gladly look into any particulars. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will help me by giving me particulars. The present arrangement is that there are 60 tons for every four-monthly period for all trade catalogues. That covers export as well as home catalogues.
§ Mr. PetherickIs there any reason why the British export trade should suffer in order that Victor Gollancz may flourish?