§ 39. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of the adequate presentation of news and views of local, national and international importance and also to meet the needs of advertisers and the convenience of the public, he will allocate such supplies of newsprint to the Press of this country as will enable it to maintain papers of the present or an increased size; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir S. CrippsAs my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already said in his statement on the import programme on 30th June, it is regrettably necessary to restrict imports, and the sizes of newspapers will consequently have to be reduced.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeYes, but is the President of the Board of Trade aware that any cut in newsprint which is contemplated will bring a saving of dollars which will be very trivial compared with the inevitable curtailment of publicity which will develop for those things which are the very essence of our British way and purpose?
§ Sir S. CrippsI quite appreciate the value of the Press and am very sorry that it has to be curtailed.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeCould we at least have an assurance that the same percentage cut will be applied to Government papers?
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the shortage, which is so evident, could my right hon. and learned Friend tell us what supplies were given for the publication of 250,000 copies of a very pornographic book that came from America?
§ Sir S. CrippsIf the hon. Member will send me particulars, I will look into it.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreCan a copy be placed in the Library?