HC Deb 19 April 1951 vol 486 cc1981-2
7. Mr. Deedes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with Canada for future supplies of newsprint.

Mr. H. Wilson

I understand from the Newsprint Supply Company that the arrangements for 1951 have now been settled and that the Company expect to obtain 100,000 tons from Canada this year, which includes a small quantity shipped at the end of 1950. I am informed that negotiations for deliveries in later years are proceeding satisfactorily, but that it is too early yet to make any statement.

Mr. Deedes

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these arrangements will ensure that we shall at least get to the end of this year without any reduction in the size of newspapers and without the uncertainty which prevailed during the latter part of last year? Can he say anything about the arrangements which the Canadians are reported to be making to include newsprint with strategic raw materials as a matter for international discussion?

Mr. Wilson

I should like notice of the question about the report, which I have seen. As to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, Canadian supplies should certainly remove a great deal of uncertainty from the newsprint situation, but a lot will depend on the time they arrive. I have already informed the House that if there is any further danger to newsprint supplies I shall be prepared to consider the question of a reduction of exports.

10. Mr. Marlowe

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet come to a decision on the question of convening an Empire and United States of America Conference to consider the distribution of the available supplies of newsprint.

Mr. H. Wilson

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) in reply to his Question on 11th April, a decision has already been taken to set up a Pulp and Paper Committee in Washington. Newsprint will be one of the subjects considered by that body.

Mr. Marlowe

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this important topic deserves a conference to itself. As the right hon. Gentleman must take a large share of the blame for this situation, has he not also some responsibility for finding a remedy?

Mr. Wilson

I do not accept the suggestion in the concluding part of that supplementary question. But I think I can claim a large share of the credit for the fact that there is to be an international conference to discuss newsprint. It was not possible to get a separate conference.