HC Deb 12 March 1947 vol 434 cc209-10W
Commander Noble

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether books and newspapers from this country are yet allowed to be sold in the British zone in Germany; and, if not, when it is expected that this will be allowed.

Mr. J. Hynd

No books are exported from this country for retail sale in Germany and no change is contemplated in this position. Considerable quantities are, however, supplied through official channels to libraries and educational bodies and British books are printed in Germany in both English and German for internal sale. At present the "Manchester Guardian" (daily and weekly edition) is the only British newspaper on sale in the British zone. The principal British daily and Sunday newspapers are on sale in the British sector of Berlin, and I hope that they will be on sale in the British zone in the near future. It should be remembered that proceeds of sales cannot be transmitted outside Germany. Books and newspapers can, therefore, be supplied only at the expense of the Exchequer or of private interests here.

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