§ 78. Brigadier Mackesonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will, give an estimate of the weight of paper used by the national and local Press during, respectively, the first quarters of 1936 and 1946.
§ Sir S. CrippsNo figure of consumption of newsprint for newspapers in the first quarter of 1936 is available but the amount used in the first quarter of 1946 was 73, 500 tons which is approximately 26 per cent. of the pre-war consumption.
§ Brigadier MackesonIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Government are now using four times more paper than 10 years ago, and will he reduce the consumption of paper by the Government, which is quite unnecessary, and increase it to the Press?
§ Sir S. CrippsNo, Sir.
§ Brigadier MackesonIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.