HC Deb 07 July 1949 vol 466 cc2317-8
13. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchison

asked the President of the Board of Trade why wood pulp is still being imported from abroad at a time when there is a glut of waste paper in the hands of local authorities and the compulsory collection of paper salvage has had to be discontinued.

Mr. H. Wilson

Pulp is being imported where our financial position permits in order to provide suitable qualities of paper and board.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

In view of what the Chancellor said yesterday, is it not essential that we should avoid importing any material which can be procured from waste stocks in this country?

Mr. Wilson

Yes, but the hon. and gallant Member will realise that practically the whole of this pulp comes from soft currency sources, and it is a fact that, although supplies of waste paper of certain mixed grades are now adequate, the supply of special grades is very far from being adequate.