HC Deb 03 June 1946 vol 423 cc1588-9
16. Mr. Peart

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new factories, extensions and modernisations approved for development areas in 1046; and what progress has been made.

Mr. Belcher

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

very wide one? Actually I believe 100 per cent, of the books which were published before the war can now be produced with the paper allowed by the use of various expedients and economies yet only 60 per cent, of cloth is available for binding.

Mr. Belcher

The trouble, of course, is that paper supplies have improved more rapidly than cotton yarn, but we are aware of this wide gap and that is why I said we hope we shall be able to raise the allocation shortly.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

There are at present something like five million books unbound at the binders, awaiting covers, and will the hon. Gentleman take some urgent steps to try to release these books to the British public, who are so eagerly awaiting them, especially students?

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the Minister explain what he means by " shortly "? Will it be within the next two weeks or within the next month, or can he give any indication?

Mr. Belcher

I am sure the hon. and gallant Member does not expect me to give a definite period. I have given an undertaking that, so far as we can, we will do what we can to ease the situation. So far as unbound books are concerned, the problem is one of cotton yarn, and as soon as we get more yarn we will increase the allocation.

Mr. Champion

Is the Minister aware that most of the books published today deserve only paper bindings?