Periodicals (Paper Supplies)

Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 December 1949.

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Photo of Sir Eric Fletcher Sir Eric Fletcher , Islington East 12:00, 15 December 1949

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to fix a date at which the present restrictions on magazines and periodicals will be removed.

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

As from 1st March next, existing magazines and periodicals will no longer be limited for their home sales to a percentage of their pre-war consumption of paper, but will be allowed to use all the paper they can obtain. The restrictions on new publications will also be withdrawn.

Photo of Sir Eric Fletcher Sir Eric Fletcher , Islington East

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, which I am sure will be very generally welcomed?

Photo of Mr Kenneth Lindsay Mr Kenneth Lindsay , Combined English Universities

Will it now not be necessary for magazines to try to arrange for publication abroad, which has caused great inconvenience both to the right hon. Gentleman's Department and elsewhere?

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

We shall certainly welcome all the efforts which they are able to make to export copies of what is produced, but there will now be no question of any necessity to publish abroad.

Photo of Mr Ralph Assheton Mr Ralph Assheton , City of London

Does the right hon. Gentleman's statement cover newspaper*?

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

It covers what it says, periodicals and magazines, not newspapers.

Photo of Mr Francis Noel-Baker Mr Francis Noel-Baker , Brentford and Chiswick

Will the restriction on the amount of paper permitted to be allocated to advertising be removed at the same time?

Photo of Mr Harold Wilson Mr Harold Wilson , Ormskirk

I should require notice of that question.