HC Deb 13 November 1947 vol 444 cc523-4
12. Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious shortage in the supply of educational books; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Mr. H. Wilson

Yes, Sir. Arrangements were made some months ago whereby in addition to maintaining the then existing proportions of books for educational purposes and for export from three quarters of their quota, publishers were required to devote one quarter exclusively to books for export or for educational purposes. Furthermore, in spite of the increasing shortage of paper, a special reserve of paper for books for export has been created and the existing reserve for educational books has been increased. There is still some shortage of labour and a lack of certain machinery for printing and binding, which is, however, being met as far as possible from home and from overseas.

Mr. Rankin

While I thank my right hon. Friend for that encouraging reply, may I ask if he will bear in mind the extension of the school-leaving age, and whether every phase of education up to the university standard will be covered?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir, we are in very close consultation with the Minister of Education on this point.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this shortage is most bitterly resented by both young and old students, and will he do something far more drastic than he has intimated to restore not only the import of books, but the production of technical books here.

Mr. Wilson

We are doing the best possible with the amount of paper and printing facilities available.

Mr. Somerville Hastings

Will my right hon. Friend give special care to the need for medical books for students, of which there is a real shortage?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir. We have been giving special attention to the question of medical books, both in regard to export to other countries and in regard to their use in this country.

Mr. Chamberlain

Could my right hon. Friend say whether the special ration of paper, under the control of the Publishers Advisory Committee, is of any appreciable proportion?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, Sir, it is very considerable.