§ 43. Mr. Deedesasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the provisional figure for the export of newsprint from this country during the year 1950; and how does this figure compare with the total exports of newsprint during 1949.
Mr. H. WilsonThe estimated figure for the export of newsprint in 1950 is 100,000 tons, as compared with about 60,000 tons in 1949.
§ Mr. DeedesHow does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile these increased exports—probably reduced imports—with the present size and threatened size of the newspapers?
Mr. WilsonThe newspapers were left quite free some months ago to settle the size of their papers, within broad limits. In the event, their estimates of newsprint available proved far too optimistic, and the increase to seven pages, originally made for the election period, could not be maintained.
§ Mr. DeedesDoes the Minister propose to allow this quantity of newsprint to be exported despite what has happened?
Mr. WilsonYes, Sir, and if the hon. Gentleman knew the importance attached to this question by Governments in other parts of the Commonwealth—because almost the whole of our export is to Commonwealth countries—I do not think he would press me to reduce the figure.
§ Mr. HurdDid not the right hon. Gentleman persist in refusing to allow any newsprint to be brought from Canada, so that we had to break our contract and cannot now get what we should have?
Mr. WilsonOur dollar position was such that we could not afford dollars for newsprint from Canada until two or three months ago. These dollars have been allocated but, so far, the newspapers have been unable to buy the newsprint they thought they would be able to get.