§ 47. Mr. Gammansasked the Prime Minister if the announcement made by the Lord Privy Seal at Bristol that newspapers will not return to previous size represents the policy of His Majesty's Government; and if he will issue a White Paper explaining the views of the Government on the supply of newsprint in relation to foreign exchange.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal, in answer to a question at the Production Conference which he addressed at Bristol last Friday, did not say that newspapers would not return to their previous size. He stated that the supply of newsprint was affected by the dollar situation. There is no prospect whatever in present conditions of being able to obtain enough newsprint to enable newspapers to return to their prewar size, but as I informed the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 28th March, the question whether we can afford some additional imports of newsprint will be kept under review.
§ Mr. GammansDo I understand that the remark attributed to the Lord Privy Seal that some newspapers are too large already did not represent a sinister political move but was merely a facetious remark arising from exuberance of spirits?
§ The Prime MinisterI have not discussed that point with the Lord Privy Seal, but I am sure we all have in mind newspapers that could well be smaller.
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesIs the Prime Minister aware that it is possible to read in London every day 10-page newspapers printed in Dublin, and can he tell the House where the newsprint comes from?
§ The Prime MinisterNot without notice.
§ Mr. WalkerWould the Prime Minister take into consideration the fact that the more newsprint that can be made avail- 1922 able the more people will be engaged in the newspaper industry?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a very noteworthy point.