§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of paper and withdrawal of labour from the publishing, printing and binding trades, a grave position has arisen with regard to the supply of educational, technical and scientific books, menacing the future of education and research; and whether he will take measures to remedy this situation?
§ Mr. Harold MacmillanWhile the consumption of paper as a whole has had to be reduced to little more than a quarter, the proportion allowed to book publishers is between 40 and 50 per cent. of that used before the war. I can hold out no hope of being able to release larger quantities of paper to them and I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service that an increase in the labour available also cannot be looked for. I can only 1799W urge that everything should be done by the trades concerned to ensure that the labour and materials available are used to the best advantage.