§ 42. Lieut.-Coknel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that news- 776 paper proprietors are unable to find work for their former employees on release from the Forces owing to the shortage of newsprint, he will reconsider the decision of the Government to postpone the release of additional supplies.
§ Sir S. CrippsI regret that I can add nothing to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore), on 24th January.
§ Sir T. MooreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public cannot find any reason or understand that somewhat sinister reluctance of the Government to issue more newsprint to newspapers, and are they really afraid of more criticism if they do?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo. We have no dollars to spare.
§ Mr. Michael FootCould the right hon. Gentleman say precisely to what extent there would have to be a cut in British food rations in order to meet the request of British newspaper proprietors?
§ Sir S. CrippsWhatever was done to obtain dollars for newsprint would have to be taken off food.
§ Mr. Garry AllighanIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that the newspapers have to absorb over 7,000 employees from the Forces, and that this cannot possibly be done on a four-page newspaper?
§ Sir S. CrippsI think we were made aware of all these representations, which were put forward by those responsible for the newspapers.
§ 43. Mr. Keelingasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that at the time of the Coal Nationalisation Bill Second Reading Debate three London penny morning newspapers devoted less than 6 per cent. of their reports to speeches opposing the Bill; and whether he will make a special additional allowance of paper for the reporting of Debates on future nationalisation Bills, to enable both sides of the case to be presented.
§ Sir S. CrippsWhile I share the hon. Member's desire for full reports in the daily Press of the proceedings in this House, I regret that it is not at present possible, on currency and supply grounds, 777 to provide the paper for increasing the size of newspapers. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 24th January, the position will be reviewed as soon as conditions permit.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that the papers in question, which gave such inadequate reports of the Debate, are the only three London morning newspapers which support the Government, and could he not do something about that?.
§ Sir S. CrippsI am afraid I cannot persuade other papers to support the Government.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the complete and utter bankruptcy of the case put by the Conservative Party, it is just as well, for their sakes, that there was not a fuller report?