§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take as regards the proposal for a further increase in price of the Guardian newspaper of 33⅓i per cent.; and if he will take steps to ensure that newspapers are available to the public at reasonable costs and on such a basis as to be a viable proposition for newspaper proprietors and those who work in the industry.
§ Mr. MasonUnder the voluntary early warning arrangements theGuardian notified the Board of Trade that they proposed to make a price increase; having regard to the facts of the case, we did not raise objection to the proposed increase. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the costs and revenue of national newspapers published today (Cmnd. 4277) and to my Answer today to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Moonman).