HC Deb 22 June 1953 vol 516 cc114-5W
95. Mr. Ian Harvey

asked the Minister of Materials whether, in view of the increased availability of the supply of newsprint and the administrative costs involved in its control he will deration this commodity altogether.

98. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Materials whether he will now make a statement about newsprint supplies for the second half of 1953; and if he can give an estimate of the additional supplies needed to abolish newsprint rationing.

Sir A. Salter

The availability of newsprint is governed by our need to limit imports for balance of payments reasons. Derationing would involve an increase in imports on a scale which cannot be estimated with any precision but which would be beyond what we can at present afford. The administrative cost of our control system is very little compared with the foreign exchange involved. Supplies of newsprint for the second half of 1953 should be sufficient to maintain the present consumption by newspapers, which has been increased by 150,000 tons, or about a quarter, over the last year. I have also decided on a further relaxation which will not cost much tonnage. Licences will be granted under Article 2 of the Control of Paper (Newspapers) (Economy) Order, 1953, to enable the following categories of weekly newspapers to print as many pages as they wish:

  1. 1. Local weekly newspapers (including provincial, county and London suburban weeklies).
  2. 2. Weekly professional, commercial, industrial and trade newspapers.
  3. 3. Weekly newspapers published by political parties and trade unions.
  4. 4. Weekly religious newspapers.
  5. 5. Weekly sporting newspapers.

Mr. J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Materials how many weekly provincial newspapers are not taking up the newsprint ration allocated to them.

Sir A. Salter

During the latest period for which figures are available, the 12 weeks ending on 3rd May, 1953, 894 provincial weekly newspapers out of a total of 968 did not print their full permitted paging.

Mr. J. Rodgers

asked the Minister of Materials what estimate he has made of the extra amount of newsprint which would be required to end newsprint rationing; and when he anticipates that he will be in a position to decontrol newsprint.

Sir A. Salter

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I have given today to the Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Harrow, East (Mr. Ian Harvey) and Newbury (Mr. Hurd).