HC Deb 27 February 1947 vol 433 cc2256-7
22. Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has issued instructions to the British Master Printers' Federation that during the fuel emergency dividend warrants shall not be printed with the exception of those for co-operative societies.

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, in reply to a similar question on 20th February by the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton), the use of electricity supplies for the printing of dividend warrants has been authorised.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

Does that mean that the instructions have since been withdrawn?

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir. What it means is that a circular was sent round by the Federation of Master Printers which was doubtful in meaning, and it was confirmed that they could be printed.

Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite

Does not this show a disturbing tendency on the part of the administration that the Co-operative Society can receive better treatment unless there is some vigilant Member to put down a question?

Sir S. Cripps

It is not only the Federation of Master Printers who may have made a mistake. The circular stated that among those things that regional controllers have discretion to allow to be printed were dividend warrants arid Co-operative Society dividend cheques. These are the two items.