§ 1. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the President of the Board of Trade what allocation of paper has been made available to the publishers of the journal "Freedom First."
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Harold Wilson)No paper has been specifically licensed for "Freedom First," and any paper used has presumably been obtained from printers' or merchants' stocks for the resale of which no licence is necessary.
§ Mr. Platts-MillsIn view of the fact that this paper is in the unique position of being financed and sponsored by the most disreputable elements in both the commercial and political life of the country, could the Minister use the means at his disposal to find us a copy and put it in the Library?
§ Mr. WilsonI am not prepared to use the paper control for the purpose of censorship, even when the hon. Gentleman asks for it. I am quite sure that he is capable of getting his own copies and reading them for himself.
§ 9. Mr. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade how the current price charged for newsprint in Britain compares with the world price; and what is the reason for the difference.
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe price at which newsprint is sold is not standard throughout the world, but depends upon market conditions and contract terms. It depends upon the cost of the raw materials and is also affected by the level of output 502 which in this country is still only 50 per cent. of pre-war. In the circumstances, it is encouraging to note that our prices compare favourably with those of the Scandinavian producers, though they are above those at which paper can be bought on long term contracts in Canada.
§ Mr. HurdIs it not a fact that the British Government are paying the Finns £40 a ton for newsprint which they are willing to sell to America for £28 a ton? When will the President of the Board of Trade allow our own mills to renew their direct contacts with the producers of pulp in Scandinavia?
§ Mr. WilsonI should want notice of the question, in relation to Finland in particular. It is true that many of the Scandinavian countries are selling in dollars at a lower price than to non-dollar countries because of their need for dollars.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyCan the right hon. Gentleman say what profits the Government are making out of newsprint?
§ Mr. WilsonNot without notice.
§ Mr. GammansIs this a long-term bulk buying contract and, if so, how long has it to run?
§ Mr. WilsonIs what a long-term bulk buying contract?
§ Mr. GammansAre the Government buying newsprint on a series of long-term bulk buying contracts and, if so, can the right hon. Gentleman say how much longer they have to run, so that we can take advantage of the lower prices prevailing throughout the world?
§ Mr. WilsonThe Question mainly refers to newsprint manufactured in this country from pulp bought abroad. As far as the relatively small purchases of newsprint by the Government are concerned, they are not long-term bulk buying purchases.