§ 32. Mr. Liptonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that newsprint, which cost £10 a ton before the war, now costs £58 10s., and that this increased cost is artificially maintained by price controls operated by newsprint producers; and whether, in these circumstances, he will impose price control.
§ Mr. ErrollI understand that, comparing like with like, the rise in the price of newsprint has not been as great as suggested by the hon. Member. The Answer to the second part of the Question is, "No, Sir." The hon. Member is no doubt aware that an agreement on the price of newsprint has been registered 735 under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, and will in due course, be examined before the Restrictive Practices Court.
§ Mr. LiptonMeanwhile, will the hon. Gentleman take note of the fact that we have only three newsprint mills in this country, Bowaters, Reeds and Dickinsons; that the price per ton of newsprint from each of these firms is exactly the same and that that seems to indicate the operation of a price ring, which we hope will be investigated as quickly as possible?
§ Mr. ErrollNewsprint can be imported freely from other countries so that it is up to the domestic suppliers to make their prices as best they can to face up to competition from overseas.