asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the not excessive quantity of newsprint involved, if he will now allow newspapers and periodicals to display placards again.

The restrictions on placards relate only to the display of contents posters and I am not aware of any general desire on the part of the publishers concerned to revert to this practice in the present position of newsprint supply.

Does my right hon. Friend think that it is compatible with the dignity and pride of the great capital of this Empire that the newsvendors in the streets should go about with dirty sheets of paper in front of them all bescribbled with words which hardly anybody can read?

I am not aware of any demands on the part of the publishers concerned to have other forms of paper advertising.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the introduction of placards for the "Daily Herald" might put up the election expenses of Labour candidates?