HC Deb 15 July 1946 vol 425 cc859-60
46. Mr. Henry Strauss

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that education is being hampered or prevented by the shortage of suitable books; what organ of Government decides on the allocation of foreign exchange between various classes of imports; and why the importation of films and cosmetics has been preferred to that of the raw materials of books.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. I regret that both schools and universities are hampered by the present shortage of books. Extra supplies of paper have, however, been made available to publishers for use in educational books. As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a full explanation of the procedure in the House on 14th February. The allegation in the last part of the Question is quite unfounded.

Mr. Pickthorn

Will the Prime Minister consider whether imports of books in foreign languages might not be exempted from exchange restrictions on the ground that the intellectual advantage gained will be very much greater than the currency lost?

The Prime Minister

That is a matter to be considered, but, no doubt, all of us, in our personal capacities, have sometimes felt that we had not the money to spend on books which we badly wanted.

Mr. Strauss

Am I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer to the last part of my Question that shortage of shipping space is no part of the cause of the shortage of raw materials for books?

The Prime Minister

There is nothing about the shortage of shipping space in the original Question which asks "why the importation of films and cosmetics has been preferred to that of the raw materials of books."

Mr. Strauss

As permission has recently been given for the importation of those articles, does it not follow? Is it not a mistake to throw the cargo overboard in order to provide extra space for the bilge?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Could the Prime Minister say what proportion of pulp and paper is imported from abroad compared with the supplies available in this country?

The Prime Minister

I am afraid that I could not answer that question without notice. In any case, it should be put down to another Minister.

Forward to