§ 61. Brigadier-General SPEARSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that grease-proof paper cannot be satisfactorily manufactured in this country; and whether, as British biscuit manufacturers are dependent upon foreign supplies of vegetable parchment glaze and transparent and grease-proof paper, he will consider exempting these items from the Abnormal Importations (No. 1) Order?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe scope of the Orders made under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, and all relevant considerations, are being kept constantly under review, and the particular classes of wrapping papers to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, will be duly borne in mind in that connection.
§ Lieut.-Colonel APPLINIs my hon. Friend aware that the Imperial Tobacco Company are very large users of this class of paper?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes, Sir; I am.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas my hon. Friend yet received a deputation from the trade affected, and has he been able to give them any satisfaction?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part therefore does not arise.
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEIs my hon. Friend aware that hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent on putting down new mills for the manufacture of this paper?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAYes.