§ 43. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the sources from which paper has been allocated for the periodical "Coal"; and whether this allocation is subject to the same limitations as other allocations for new publications.
§ Mr. H. WilsonA licence has been issued authorising the periodical "Coal" to be published, and to use a quantity of paper which has been prescribed in the licence. Supplies of paper will be drawn from normal sources, and will be subject to licence by the Paper Control in the normal way.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that a new privately sponsored publication will obtain the same quantity of paper?
§ Mr. WilsonIf it were to fulfil the same national purpose as this journal, we should certainly give it very favourable consideration.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhat is that national purpose?
§ Mr. WilsonThe purpose of making quite clear to the miners and other readers of this paper the need for coal.
§ Mr. Thomas BrownIs my right hon. Friend aware that this journal is serving 3334 a very useful purpose in conveying information, not only to the mining community, but to the non-mining community? Is he further aware that this journal is appreciated by its recipients, and that the paper allocation should be increased, if possible, so that more copies can be printed and circulated?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingIs it not the case that paper is granted for a publication only on a certificate from the Department concerned being given to the Central Office of Information that the publication is essential? Was a certificate given in this case?
§ Mr. WilsonNo, Sir, it does not work quite like that. It is given by the Board of Trade after consultation with the Department concerned. Certainly in this case, as in any other case where we have granted an allocation, the Department concerned was satisfied that it was essential.
§ Mr. Kenneth LindsayWill the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the new definition of "national interest," whether he will not sanction an increased allocation for a paper for the National Book League which is doing a great deal to increase the exports of books in this country?
§ Mr. WilsonThat seems to be another question.
§ 58. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury from what source paper is obtained for the production of "Something Done" issued by the Central Office of Information; what quantity was used for the first issue, and what quantity is being allocated for subsequent issues.
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)The 25½ tons of paper used for the first edition was issued by the Stationery Office. It is not expected that any further supply will be required.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the Economic Secretary say whether this paper is of a quality which is not available for the ordinary trade, and if the Government must carry on their propaganda at public expense, cannot they be a little more economical?
§ Mr. JayI do not think the quality of the paper was exceptional and in our view 3335 the use of 25½ tons of paper for this excellent non-political publication was abundantly justified.
§ Mr. DribergWhen my hon. Friend says that he does not expect that any further supply of paper will be required, can he assure the House that he will go on reprinting edition after edition of this excellent publication so long as there is a demand for it?
§ Mr. Oliver StanleyIf that is the case and further editions are printed, in view of the Government's electoral triumph yesterday, would not they consider changing the name to "Somebody Done."
§ 62. Mr. Bramallasked the President of the Board of Trade whether book publishers are free to publish any books they like with the paper allocation they receive; or whether there is a system of allocation to ensure that a proper proportion of available paper is used for the production of educational text books.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) on 13th November last.
§ Mr. BramallCan my right hon. Friend give an assurance that this reply does indicate that it is possible that educational books, of which there is a terrible lack at the moment, do have a priority over much less essential publications which are appearing?
§ Mr. WilsonYes, Sir. We do all we can for educational books, subject to this —we are not prepared to use paper allocation for purposes to dictate to the publishers w hat books they must publish.
Mr. Wilson HarrisWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that when paper supplies for books improve, very special priority will be given to educational books?
§ Mr. WilsonYes, Sir. We shall always have in mind an increase of the paper required from special reserve.