§ Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the range of Government subsidies, including postal, which currently apply to newspapers, books and magazines in each EC member state.
§ Mr. BrookeThe British publishing industry receives no direct subsidies from Government. Value added tax is,366W however, zero rated on the income from sales of newspapers, books and periodicals. In addition, the Post Office operates a long-standing concession under which registered newspapers are given first-class service at second-class postage rates; and special facilities are available to those posting large numbers of newspapers and magazines under the Post Office's Postream service. Information relating to the position in other EC member states could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.