§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the difficulties which retail newsagents are experiencing in the distribution of newspapers because of the refusal of wholesale suppliers to accept unsold copies; and whether, since this militates against the adequate distribution of news about the national effort, he will take steps in connection with the matter?
§ Mr. BurginAs I stated in the reply to the hon. Member for Ilkeston (Mr. Oliver) on the 9th October, the detailed arrangements in the trade regarding the return of unsold newspapers are not matters in which I can intervene.
§ Mr. Quibellasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the hardship caused to newsagents by the imposition of the no-returns allowance policy of the Yorkshire Newspaper Society for evening newspapers and that the society has declined to meet the representatives of the newsagents to discuss that policy; and if he will endeavour to convene a meeting of the aggrieved parties to discuss this departure from trade custom?
§ Mr. BurginI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Rother Valley (Mr. Dunn).
§ Mr. Dunnasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the newspaper proprietors in the Yorkshire area have imposed considerable hardship and financial loss on the retailers and distributors of evening papers in that area; that the newspaper proprietors have refused to meet the duly appointed representatives of the Federation of Retail Newsagents; and will he take such steps as are necessary to secure joint discussion on this matter?
§ Mr. BurginIf the hon. Member is referring to the newspaper proprietors' refusal to accept unsold copies, I would 59W refer him to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ilkeston (Mr. Oliver) on the 9th October, in which I stated that such detailed arrangements in the trade are not matters in which I can intervene.