§ 47. Mr. Burkeasked the Minister of Production if he will take steps to curtail the widespread distribution through the post of advertising circulars, which are unnecessary in the present national circumstances and are calculated to induce wasteful expenditure, in order that increased allocations of paper may be given for manufacturing and educational purposes.
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir. I would not feel justified in reducing the quantity of paper available for advertising circulars. The amount is insignificant in relation to manufacturing and educational requirements.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the Minister aware that there are organisations in this country which go through the directories, and compile registers of "suckers," whom they circularise regularly, and who can be expected to subscribe to any catchpenny scheme; and that, meanwhile, firms cannot get sufficient paper for brochures to send abroad?
§ Mr. LytteltonThat is quite another question. The total amount of paper used in advertising circulars is so small that if the total allocation was halved it would make a difference of less than one per cent. of the consumption for these other purposes.
§ Mr. BurkeIf the total is so small, is not that a reason for seeing that it is not wasted on useless circulars?