§ 59. Mr. John Rodgersasked the President of the Board of Trade how many dollars have been saved as a result of the ban on the importation of comic supplements.
§ Mr. BottomleyAssuming that imports would have continued at the 1949 level, about 400,000.
§ Mr. RodgersIs the Minister aware that the same subscription has to be paid for the importation of papers without the comic supplement as is paid for the importation of the papers with the supplement and is not this an attempt to interfere with the innocent pleasures of the British people.
§ Mr. BottomleyNo, Sir, we are saving dollars, and that is the reason for this decision.
§ Mr. AsshetonDoes the hon. Gentleman keep a very large staff making up their minds which of these supplements are comic or not.
§ Mr. BottomleyNo, Sir, it is all part of the general work of the Import Licensing Department.
§ Mr. H. StraussCan the Minister assure the House that this ban is not explained by His Majesty's Government's fear of competition.