§ 36. Mr. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on supplies of newsprint from Canada and other sources; and to what extent the home mills are now required to export newsprint.
§ Sir H. ShawcrossSupplies of newsprint from home and overseas include 100,000 tons from Canada in 1950–51 and should be sufficient to maintain a six-page newspaper in 1951. We also hope to maintain exports at the rate of 100,000 tons per annum, entirely to Commonwealth markets; but we may not be able to make up for the short shipments in April and May resulting 400 from reduced output on the part of one of our principal producers.
§ Mr. HurdIn the further arrangement which I think the Newsprint Supply Company are making for future supplies from Canada, have the Government been able to give an assurance that the Company will be allowed to proceed, and will not be forced to break any future contracts?
§ Sir H. ShawcrossI believe it is a cardinal rule, which all Governments have to observe, that they cannot bind the future executive action of His Majesty's Government of the time.