§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the position of small retailers under the restrictions on advertising imposed by the Paper Restriction Order and to the fact that this large class of traders, being unable to afford newspaper advertising, are praccally denied the publicity necessary to their businesses, and are thus placed, through the action of his Department, at a distinct disadvantage compared with their larger and richer competitors?
§ Mr. WARDLEClause 7 of the Order excepts from its scope all posters the printing of which had been actually commenced on or before 2nd March, 1917, and which were actually in stock with a printer, bill poster or advertiser on or before 22nd 1443W October, 1917. By virtue of this provision a considerable stock of posters which can be adapted to the requirements of individual retailers will be rendered available for their purposes.
§ Sir W. BULLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state why the making or exhibition of new posters is limited in size to four-sheets, whereas the sixteen sheet is recognised as the most convenient, economical, effective, and popular size; why posters of that size cannot. be made and exhibited, seeing that a much smaller number of them would be required than of the four-sheet poster, and probably less paper used in production and labour saved in their exhibition; and whether he can see his way to remove this restriction in the size of new posters?
§ Mr. WARDLEThe limitation of the size of posters was settled after full and careful consideration of the question by the Paper Commission, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to remove the restriction, which is believed to result in a saving of paper.