§ 42. Mr. T. Hendersonasked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the Paper Control Board has raised the price of straw for paper making from 15s. per ton to £5, the present controlled price; 426 that this price has had the effect of reducing the output of paper made from home-produced material; and will he investigate the matter with a view to a reduction of the present controlled price?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan)There is no official controlled price of straw, but prices of straw for paper making have been agreed between the Paper Makers Straw Trading Company and the National Farmers' Union. The price that has to be paid is, of course, affected by the demand for straw for other purposes.
§ Mr. R. GibsonHas the Minister been informed that agreement has been reached between the agricultural and paper-making industries in Scotland, whereby the farmers receive £4 per ton for their straw at the farm and the transport charges are borne by the paper-making industry?