§ 83. Mr. PRATTasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the Returns of the first three months' working under the recent restrictions of imports into this country of paper and paper-making material by 33 per cent, and to the fact that these Returns show that the quantity of imported paper-making materials corresponds to this figure, whilst on the other hand the imports of paper only show a decrease of 11 per cent.; and if he can explain this discrepancy?
Mr. HARCOURTThe full effect of the restrictions on the importation of paper was not felt until some time after their imposition owing to the fact that large supplies were already en route and had to be admitted. Certain descriptions of paper and board have moreover been imported in increased quantities owing to Government requirements for war purposes. In the case of paper-making materials, the effect of the restriction has been enhanced by the prohibition imposed in Sweden on the exportation of chemical pulp.