§ 72. Mr. Weitzmanasked the President of the Board of Trade what increase of newsprint has been made available to enable the "Daily Express '' to increase its circulation; and whether he will consider the needs of local newspapers who, because of newsprint restrictions are unable to provide for any increase in circulation, or in size, or for any chance copies which may be required; and if he will take steps to remedy this apparently unequal treatment.
§ Mr. BelcherEqual percentage increases have been allowed to all newspapers and have amounted since the autumn of 1943 to just over 15 per cent. on their basic quotas.
§ Mr. WeitzmanCan my hon. Friend explain why other newspapers complain of their inability to meet the demands of the public by an increase in their circulation?
§ Mr. BelcherOther newspapers have not complained to me. All I know is that all newspapers have profited equally by this increase in allocation, and that unless specific cases are brought to my attention I cannot answer questions such as my hon. Friend has just put.
§ Mr. RobensIs my hon. Friend aware that the allocation of additional newsprint on a percentage basis gives greater advantage to those newspapers with the largest circulations?
§ Mr. BelcherI am not aware of any alternative system which would be fair to everybody.