HC Deb 02 June 1919 vol 116 cc1656-8
16. Mr. RAPER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the middle of May a list was issued by the Board of Trade specifying certain classes of paper for which import licences would be freely granted; that this list was revised almost immediately, and that on the 27th May the free paper licence list was entirely withdrawn without any official notice being issued to the trade, with the result that contracts had been and still are being entered into by firms for the import of the classes of paper referred to in the original free list; and whether it is now proposed to issue an amended list of papers which may be freely imported?

Sir A. GEDDES

It is the case that a list was issued by the Board of Trade specifying certain classes of paper for which import licences would be freely granted, and that this list was subsequently revised and ultimately withdrawn upon the same official notice to the trade as was given when it was issued. Licences will be granted for the importation of all paper, of the classes scheduled on the original free list, which was purchased during the time the list was in operation. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The present Regulations regarding imports of paper are based upon the unanimous recommendations of the Paper Industry Inquiry Committee, upon which producers and consumers of paper were represented in equal numbers.

Mr. BALDWIN RAPER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where and how the original notice was given to the trade; if it is a fact that there is a demand for certain classes of paper in excess of what is available of Empire supplies, and whether he proposes to allow the users of paper to import supplies of paper which they cannot purchase within the Empire?

Sir A. GEDDES

As to whether there is a shortage of paper within the Empire, I would refer the hon. Member to the actual Order, in which he will see that in the event of any shortage of supply the Board of Trade is in a position, and is prepared and willing, to license supplies being brought from other sources.

Captain WEDGWOOD BENN

Can the light hon. Gentleman say why the import of paper is restricted?

Sir A. GEDDES

Yes, with the greatest possible pleasure. It is being restricted at the present time in order that the paper industry, which was entirely disor- ganised in certain parts by the War, should have an opportunity to re-establish itself and be able to give all the employment it can to the workers engaged in the industry.

Captain BENN

Is it the policy of the Government to maintain the high price of paper?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member is raising matter for debate.

19. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a protest from the Federation of Southwestern Newspaper Owners against the Order restricting the import of paper from abroad and compelling paper users to purchase 80 per cent. of their supplies from British mills; and what reason is there for such restrictions except to afford protective privilege to concerns which have not had the enterprise to instal and use up-to-date methods and machinery?

Sir A. GEDDES

I have received the protest from the Federation of Southwestern Newspaper Owners to which the hon. Member refers. The Regulations against which this protest is directed are based upon the unanimous recommendations of the Paper Industry Inquiry Committee, upon which producers and consumers were represented in equal numbers. They form, in my opinion, as satisfactory and equitable a solution as is possible of an exceedingly difficult problem; and they arc, I believe, generally accepted as such by the different interests concerned. The paper industry, like many others, has been greatly disturbed by war conditions. The object of the present Regulations is to safeguard the industry for a limited period in accordance with the transitional trade policy which is designed to give an opportunity of re-establishing normal conditions.

Mr. STURROCK

What does "limited period" mean?

Sir A. GEDDES

The trade policy of the Government was described in this House in the first half of March. The date announced was the 1st September.