§ 52. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Minister of Production whether, in view of the shortage of paper, he will restrict the quantity of paper allotted to publishers of pamphlets and manifestos and correspondingly increase the amount allowed to British newspapers.
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir. At this stage of the war I am not in favour of placing further restrictions on the small amount of paper available for pamphlets and manifestos, which is negligible as compared with the consumption of newsprint.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs my right hon. Friend aware that, whether the quantity is negligible or not, the volume of pamphlets showered upon Members of Parliament is such that it is impossible to read them all, however edifying their contents, and that the greater part of mine go into the wastepaper basket? Could not the newspapers have a little more of this paper?
§ 57. Mr. Saltasked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that many important technical journals are still obliged by the paper shortage to refuse to print important technical data which would be of great value to British scientists in the development of new processes; and whether he will give an assurance that at an early opportunity the full requirement of scientific journals will be met as regards paper supplies.
§ Mr. LytteltonI can assure my hon. Friend that the fullest consideration will be given to the needs of technical journals as soon as paper supplies permit.
§ Mr. SaltWill the Minister reply to the latter part of the Question, and say whether the supply can be increased?
§ Mr. LytteltonI cannot give an answer to it now. As soon as we can give it, we shall.
§ Mr. BowlesIs not the paper situation getting better month by month?
§ Mr. LytteltonNo, Sir. Recent increases in allocation are due to our feeling that we can take a bit more risk on the stock position, rather than to any improvement in the current supply.
§ Mr. MesserIs there not a lot of waste paper sent to Members of Parliament?