§ 5. Mr. Shepherdasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet decided to approach the Australian Government with regard to the reduction of newsprint exports to that country.
§ Mr. BottomleyThis matter is now under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. ShepherdWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is senseless to export so much paper to Australia, which will not be a long-term market for Great Britain? It causes grievous harm to the newspaper industry of this country.
§ Mr. BottomleyWe bear every consideration in mind.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreCould the hon. Gentleman describe the difference between the average size of newspapers in Australia and in this country?
8. Air Commodore Harveyasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the allocation of newsprint to Malaya for 1951.
§ Mr. BottomleyI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) on 30th November, 1950.
Air Commodore HarveyWhat is the point of referring to an announcement which was entirely unsatisfactory? Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter in the light of the importance of Malaya, which is struggling against Communism and bandits? Never in its history has Malaya required an adequate supply of newsprint more than now.
§ Mr. BottomleyI am sorry that the reply last time was considered unsatisfactory, and that because the circumstances are the same, it must be considered equally unsatisfactory today. We consult the Colonial Office on these matters and make every possible concession.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWill the hon. Gentleman look at the large amount of printed propaganda from countries behind the Iron Curtain which reaches Members of Parliament every week and is printed in London? Will he divert the pulp required for those publications to Malaya which is on our side, and not against us?
§ Mr. BottomleyI am prepared to consider these things, and will certainly look into it.
§ Mr. Niall MacphersonIs the hon. Member aware that his right hon. Friend undertook to look into this matter again earlier this year? Would he say whether the matter has been reconsidered and, if so, what was the result?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe matter is constantly under consideration.
Air Commodore HarveyIn view of the importance of the matter, and the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that, when my Adjournment debate next week is out of the way, I will raise this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ 13. Mr. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that the 1165 home mills producing newsprint have sufficient raw materials to maintain full output during 1951.
§ Mr. RhodesNo, Sir. With one exception all the mills concerned have so far succeeded in maintaining full production, but one important producer has been unable to obtain full supplies of raw materials and will have some shortfall in production during the year.
§ Mr. HurdMay we have an assurance that the Government will do everything they can to facilitate supplies of raw materials to our newsprint mills?
§ Mr. RhodesYes, certainly.