HC Deb 19 June 1978 vol 952 cc18-9
12. Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he next expects to meet the National Federation of Retail Newsagents.

Mr. Meacher

I have at present no plans for a meeting.

Mr. Aitken

Is the Minister aware that in the past year well over 1,000 retail newsagents have been forced to close as a result of wildcat industrial stoppages in Fleet Street, which have caused the loss of more than 90 million copies of national newspapers? In view of that serious situation, will he try to have a meeting with both the newsagents and the Fleet Street unions to point out the disastrous consequences in terms of loss of jobs and in loss of economic activity for small businesses at the sharp end of the newspaper business?

Mr. Meacher

We are prepared to have a meeting with the newsagents if they request it. which they have not done so far. I am not sure that the extent of bankruptcies that have occurred among newsagents is due entirely to the cause that the hon. Gentleman mentions. Clearly some are, but the total cannot be known. There are many other causes of closure. The matter is ultimately for the trade unions and the management concerned. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has made it clear that he wishes strongly both sides to get together to try to implement the recommendations on these issues of the final report of the Royal Commission on the Press.