HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 cc1058-9
34. Wing Commander Hulbert

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much newsprint was saved during the non-publication of the national newspapers.

35. Mr. Champion

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an additional supply of newsprint available to provincial newspapers for the period of the forthcoming General Election.

36. Wing Commander Hulbert

asked the President of the Board of Trade what provision has been made for special allocations of newsprint during the period of the General Election.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The estimated quantity of newsprint saved during the period of non-publication by the national newspapers was 36,000 tons. So that those newspapers may now have the fullest freedom to use this newsprint, an Order will shortly be laid before the House to combine the current 12-week page rationing period with the one which begins on 29th May, thus forming a single rationing period of 24 weeks in which any unused paging allowances accumulated since 6th March may be printed.

The Order will also permit large 1½ d. daily newspapers to print 36 pages in excess of their normal allowances, with corresponding increases for all other newspapers, in order to help them to cover the General Election. This is broadly in line with what was done at the last General Election.

Wing Commander Hulbert

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will be very warmly welcomed in all parts of the House?

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am having the greatest difficulty in connection with the General Election in getting three tons of newsprint, and that his Department says that it is very unlikely that the mill will be able to supply it? How does he reconcile that with his statement that 36,000 tons of paper have been saved.

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am sorry to hear the difficulty which the right hon. Gentleman is in, and if he will communicate with me I will try to sort that out—but not all the other difficulties that he will find in the General Election.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Will my right hon. Friend agree that Question No. 34 is rather misleading in so far as Scottish national newspapers have been published all along?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend is right to point out that the saving is on the English side.