§ 84. Mr. Haireasked the President of the Board of Trade the total consumption of paper and newsprint in 1946 as com- 38W pared with 1938 and the amounts consumed separately by the main consuming interests.
§ Mr. BelcherNo figures of consumption are available for 1938. It is estimated, however, that the consumption of newsprint in the twelve months ended 31st August, 1939, was 1,200,000 tons as compared with 375,000 tons for 1946; and of other description's of paper (including paperboard) 2,605,000 tons and 1,714,000 tons for the same periods. The following is an approximate analysis of these figures by the main consuming interests:
— Prewar. 1946. Tons. Tons. Newspapers 1,100,000 327,000 Periodicals 300,000 88,000 Books 63,000 54,000 Commercial and general printing. 382,000 255,000 Wrappings (including food wrapping) 1,405,000 905,000 Building Trade 92,000 129,000 Other industrial uses 306,000 199,000 H.M.S.O. and other Government departments. 40,000 71,000 Export of Paper and Board. 117,000 61,000