§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Production whether he is aware that the upward revision of the allocation of paper shows 7½ per cent, to the publishers of periodicals but only 2½ per cent, to those producing books; and whether he will, in view of the serious shortage of school books, make these allocations equal.
§ Mr. LytteltonI am not clear what increase is referred to in the case of periodicals. The basic allocation of paper to periodicals was last raised on 1st November, 1943, by ⅞ if per cent, of prewar consumption. The basic allocation of paper for books was raised on the same date by 2½s per cent, of pre-war consumption. In addition, there are reserves for special needs. The total effect of the increases in the basic allocation and in the special reserve amounts to about 11½per cent, for both periodicals and books on the quantities previously allocated. The position in regard to educational books is helped by the increase in the special reserve for books, which have all along received a higher percentage of their pre-war consumption than periodicals.