HC Deb 20 July 1953 vol 518 cc11-2
12. Mr. J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Materials if he can yet state when he expects to end newsprint rationing.

Sir A. Salter

I can add nothing at present to the reply I gave on 22nd June to the Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Harrow, East (Mr. Ian Harvey) and Newbury (Mr. Hurd).

Mr. Rodgers

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that only 1,500 tons a week are required to remove this cumbrous control? Can he say how much of that 1,500 tons weekly could be provided by increased production from home mills, and how much might be imported from Scandinavia?

Sir A. Salter

I can only say that I am discussing all these matters very carefully with the Newsprint Supply Company. I could not possibly deal with an extraordinarily complicated matter of that kind in answer to a supplementary question.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is it not possible, in the meantime, to allow newspapers to issue those newsbills which used to be a very happy feature of the London scene before the war, and which news-vendors used to exhibit? Cannot we make that little concession to them?

Sir A. Salter

I had a long discussion two or three weeks ago, and I am now waiting for a reply to certain proposals made at that time, but to avoid misunderstanding I should state that those proposals did not include a proposal for the complete abolition of control.

13. Mr. J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Materials if he is yet in a position to report on the outcome of his conversations with the newsprint rationing company.

Sir A. Salter

My discussions with the Newsprint Supply Company are still continuing.

Mr. Rodgers

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind, in continuing these discussions, that the industry would very much like to see the whole business of control over newsprint handed over to this Company and taken away from the Ministry?

Sir A. Salter

I know that a great number of people would like to see that. I have been discussing fully the proposals for a transfer or change in the responsibility for administration, but I am awaiting a reply from the Company.