GP.135
GENERAL NOTES .

CATEGORY A :

The estimate of requirements has been based on ascertained current consumption. It will be seen that by no means all the stationery for the Ministry's use is what might be called “office use”. More than two-thirds is directly used either for the distribution of news or for packing printed propaganda or for distributing newspaper articles abroad. We are now investigating what economies can be made by substitution of printing for duplicating but there are difficulties which render any large economies doubtful.

CATEGORIES B & C :

In these categories, the normal printed propaganda directly commissioned or instigated by the Ministry is almost entirely included. Whether or not any particular project uses paper under Category B or C depends on whether it is desirable for propaganda purposes to publish officially or commercially.

CATEGORY D :

In asking for an allowance of 620 tons for stimulating the production of books and pamphlets which would directly help morale in this country or propaganda abroad, the Ministry feels that it is asking for a minimum, in view of the very severe rationing to which publishers will be generally subjected. It has been understood that the Ministry will have to charge to its allocation all independent publications to which it gives its support, and in some cases these may be very heavy. For example, a request has recently reached us to support widespread distribution of a pamphlet exposing German propaganda statements about the British Empire. Although the Ministry may be purchasing a considerable number of copies, most of the distribution will be through a group of business men. The publishers are now asking for 65 tons of paper for this pamphlet along. The well-known Oxford Series of pamphlets on international affairs would call for a consumption of about 65 tons on the basis of 2,000,000 sales a year. For the Ministry to support a single 6d. book, selling about 75,000 would call for approximately 5 tons.

Out of the 500 tons for general publication, the Ministry would also have to provide for its own direct requirements for pamphlets or books published at its instigation.

A nominal amount of 100 tons has been allowed for the stimulation of books for sale abroad.

CATEGORY E :

A nominal figure of 250 tons has been set down here. Three examples are quoted here to show how difficult it is to arrive at a suitable figure without having some idea of what the Paper Controller would be prepared to allow for this purpose.

(l) “The Listener “

If the Paper Control's normal allowance is 30%, or say 4 tons, and the Ministry wish to support an increase in size in order to provide for re-publication of B. B. C. propaganda talks, then an increase up to 50% of pre-war would involve 21/2 tons a week, or 130 tons a year.

(2) “The Navy “

If paper allowance is reduced to ¾ of a ton per month, then for this paper of comparatively limited scope though definite propaganda value, it would require 9 tons a year to being up to 1½ tons a month.

(3) “The Spectator ”

One of the most valuable ways of getting British cartoons into foreign periodicals is to arrange for their publication in a London paper. “The Spectator” would be willing to publish cartoons and give us full foreign rights in return for an average of 2 or 4 pages of paper extra a month. This probably would not amount to more than a ton or two a year, and is included as an illustration of the kind of support we would be willing to give.

The Ministry will not therefore be in a position to make recommendations to the Paper Controller about periodicals unless it is allotted a substantial ration for this purpose.

CAMPAIGNS FOK OTHER MINISTRIES .

Paper for these comes under Category B.

It has not been thought practicable to ask other Ministries to estimate or provide the paper required, for publicity campaigns which we undertake on their behalf. We have therefore estimated on the basis of campaigns we have already undertaken but have kept this amount separate from our own propaganda effort.