HC Deb 27 February 1947 vol 433 cc2271-2
41. Mr. Frank Byers

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what reasons his Department forbade the publication of the unfortunate weekly newspaper at Oxford, the "Isis," although the paper was being entirely produced by hand and without any consumption of electricity.

Mr. Shinwell

The agreement with the periodical proprietors to suspend periodicals for at least two weeks applied irrespective of whether electricity was used in production or not. This was to ensure that no periodicals were placed at an advantage over others.

Mr. Byers

Does not the Minister admit that he did this entirely without authority, and will he give an assurance that he will confine his interventions in future to matters which affect his Department?

Mr. Shinwell

I told the hon. Gentleman last night that this was done without statutory provision, but it was done with authority.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the Minister aware that this publication is not produced entirely by hand but in its production workers by hand and brain unite?

Mr. Quintin Hogg

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what other publications could possibly be put into a worse position by publishing the "Isis" for undergraduates at Oxford University?

Mr. Shinwell

I am afraid that I cannot.

Professor Savory

Is not the Minister aware that this publication had already been suspended by the Proctors?.