§ 66. Mr. Pickthornasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now say what are the prospects and plans for maintaining the supply of newsprint.
§ The Secretary for Overseas Trade (Mr. Bottomley)Imports from soft currency countries are freely allowed and we have provided dollars for the importation of 25,000 tons from Canada this year. As was stated on 29th June in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) we have also authorised the provision of dollars for the importation of 37,500 tons of Canadian newsprint in the first six months of next year. There may, however, be some fall in the present stock level before Canadian supplies can begin to arrive.
§ Mr. PickthornCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the stock levels are public knowledge, and, if so, what the level is now?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe level at the moment is such that we must make provision for a drop in the next half year due to holidays and other factors. I cannot state the exact amount.
Air-Commodore HarveyCan the hon. Gentleman say whether stocks of newsprint will permit newspapers to resume their full size after the cut this month?
§ Mr. BottomleyI cannot answer that. We are hopeful for an improvement in the stocks and then we can consider that question.