HC Deb 08 July 1948 vol 453 cc568-9
44. Mr. Edgar Granville

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that a large number of people on holiday and who are interested in test matches and other sporting events, including the Olympic Games, have no facilities for listening to the B.B.C. news bulletins, he will consider increasing the supply of newsprint as a special allocation for the holiday period to enable newsagents at seaside and holiday resorts to supply more weekly, daily and evening newspapers to meet the present unsatisfied demand.

Mr. H. Wilson

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Howdenshire (Mr. Odey) on 1st July.

Mr. Granville

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of working people are now on holiday and are having to queue at newspaper shops where there is literally a famine in evening newspapers? Does he think that this will help his production drive during the coming winter?

Mr. Wilson

It has been explained to hon. Members who have put similar Questions that the newsprint situation does not allow the allocation of extra supplies for these areas.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

Has the right hon. Gentleman pursued the idea of getting an extra allocation from the United States, outside the E.R.P. arrangements, by asking for it?

Mr. Wilson

We shall always be delighted to see any extra supplies coming in outside the E.R.P. arrangements. The question of newsprint in relation to E.R.P. is still under discussion with the American Government.

Mr. Fletcher

I said "ask for it outside."

Mr. Granville

If the right hon. Gentleman is unable to grant a special increased allocation for the holiday period, will he make representations to the Newspaper Proprietors' Association with a view to seeing that an allocation is made to the holiday resorts for this period?

Mr. Wilson

I am prepared to go into that question.

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