HC Deb 29 October 1945 vol 415 cc7-8
24. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of paper was released for the publication of "Tory M.P." and how this compares with the amount used for "Imperial Commonwealth."

Sir S. Cripps

No paper has been re-released from my special reserve for either of these books. Both have, no doubt, been published from the regular quotas that publishers receive and which they are free to devote to whatever books they choose.

Sir T. Moore

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this raises a serious problem, and that in a question I put last week concerning a similar production, I got an answer that no paper was released? Are we to assume from the previous answer and this one, that Mr. Gollancz is getting his paper from the black market?

Sir S. Cripps

The hon. and gallant Member can assume that Mr. Gollancz gets his paper from the publishers' quota, like all other publishers.

Sir T. Moore

In that case, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether we may assume that now that the purpose of "Tory M.P." has been achieved the paper so saved will be devoted to books of a cultural character?

Mr. Solley

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it proper for an hon. and gallant Member of this House to misuse his position by making a highly-defamatory statement about a very respectable firm of publishers?

Mr. Speaker

The position with regard to Questions on the Order Paper and that governing supplementary questions also, is that they should not include unworthy insinuations.

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