HC Deb 25 October 1944 vol 404 cc154-5
28. Mr. Boothby

asked the Minister of Information whether a special allocation of paper can be made to the hon. Member for East Aberdeenshire for the publication of a pamphlet on the subject of the Bretton Woods Agreement.

Mr. Bracken

No, Sir, not from the resources of the Ministry of Information. Judging by the vast number of pamphlets which are inflicted upon hon. Members of the House, my hon. Friend ought to have no difficulty in arranging with a printer to produce a pamphlet on currency or on any other subject which occurs to him.

Mr. Boothby

How does my right hon. Friend consider that public controversy can be conducted in a democracy if one side collars all the paper? One can get a small allowance for a small issue of pamphlets, but I want to issue a lot of pamphlets.

Mr. Bracken

I can assure my hon. Friend that a large number of printers have stocks of paper which will help him in his controversial zeal, and that, far from the Government having all the paper, it is the fact that the private consumption of paper in this country is far greater than the comparatively small amount consumed by the Government.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree to provide facilities to enable the Opposition to produce a White Paper?

Mr. Bracken

If the talent is there, I shall be glad to consider the proposition.

Mr. Astor

If paper is available, why does the Home Secretary say there is not sufficient to enable the Prison Commissioners to produce a report?

Mr. Bracken

I am not here to answer for the Home Secretary, but I daresay he thinks the topic is rather ghoulish.