HC Deb 17 December 1945 vol 417 c907
32. Major Hugh Fraser

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of his department's exhortations to the book trade to increase production for export and of his restitution of 65 percent. of their paper quota, what steps he is taking to increase their supply of book cloth from 50 percent. of their pre-war requirements.

Sir S. Cripps

I cannot take any such steps at the present time owing to the continuing shortage of cotton yarn.

Major Fraser

Is the Minister aware that there is likely to be something in the nature of a book famine in the middle of next year, especially in educational books, owing to the failure to release more cotton yarn for the book trade?

Sir S. Cripps

The only remedy I can suggest is to use paper covers in the meanwhile.

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