§ 72. Mr. John Rodgersasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken now to ensure that the British Press can maintain the present size of newspapers and, if possible, increase it.
§ 74. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade what are the prospects for newsprint; and what action can be taken to ease the situation.
§ Mr. RhodesAs my right hon. Friend announced on 20th July in reply to the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. De la Bère) we have now authorised dollars for a further 37,500 tons of newsprint from Canada in the second half of 1951, thereby offering the Canadian mills continuity for 18 months ahead on a total quantity of 100,000 tons. It remains for the Newsprint Supply Company, negotiating on this basis, to obtain as early deliveries as possible against their orders. We shall also continue to license any additional imports which they may be able to obtain in Europe. No early or substantial increase in home production can be expected since the mills are already working to their full capacity, and we cannot agree to reduce exports to the Commonwealth countries. Future prospects, therefore, now depend upon the success of the Newsprint Supply Company in their negotiations.