HC Deb 09 October 1939 vol 352 cc42-3W
Mr. Oliver

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the newspaper and periodical publishers in their desire to save paper are imposing severe restrictions on the sale of newspapers; that the method adopted will result in placing the entire burden of no returns restriction upon the retail newsagency trade, the section of the newspapers distributive trade least able to bear the heavy loss which a no returns order will cause; that the Newspaper Proprietors Association has refused to meet representatives of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents in order to discuss this matter of mutual trade concern; and whether he will take steps to get this practice altered?

Mr. Burgin

I welcome any effort to exercise economy in the use of paper. The detailed arrangements in the trade regarding the return of unsold newspapers are not a matter on which I can intervene but I am informed that they are being discussed this week between the National Federation of Retail Newsagents and the associations representing the wholesale newsagents.