55. Mr. Wilson Harrisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the Periodical Proprietors Association with regard to the provision of foreign currency for financing the purchase of certain classes of printing machinery unobtainable in this country; and what facilities he has been able to grant.
§ Sir S. CrippsI received a letter from the Director of the Periodical Proprietors Association on 13th May on the subject of printing facilities in this country which included a request that permission be granted for the purchase from hard currency countries of printing machinery which cannot be obtained elsewhere. The Association are being informed that import licence applications for printing machinery from overseas are always judged on the merits of the individual case and that provided comparable equipment is not manufactured in the United Kingdom and that the applicant's need to acquire the machinery is fully proved, it is usual for a licence to be granted.