HC Deb 04 November 1947 vol 443 cc178-9W
78. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of books imported since 1st January, 1947, and the proportion of these imported from the United States.

Mr. Belcher

Separate particulars for books are not recorded in the trade returns, but the imports of newspapers, periodicals and printed books from January to September were £2,454,000, of which 45 per cent. came from the United States. The figures do not include imports by parcel post, which are not recorded.

Mr. Lever

asked the President of the Board of Trade what restriction there is on importation of periodicals printed abroad; and whether he is satisfied that the existing regulations prevent the unfair evasion of the paper quota by persons who publish periodicals abroad designed wholly or mainly for the English market.

Mr. Belcher

Imports of all periodicals are prohibited except under licence, but copies may be sent through the post to individual subscribers. Licences for bulk imports of periodicals printed primarily for the United Kingdom market are granted only in very exceptional cases.