HC Deb 30 June 1949 vol 466 cc1496-7
21. Mr. Symonds

asked the President of the Board of Trade what revised instructions he has sent to local authorities about paper salvage.

Mr. H. Wilson

Owing to a combination of circumstances, the supply of mixed waste paper, which is the grade normally collected by local authorities, is at present somewhat in excess of demand and local authorities in certain areas are finding difficulty in disposing of the whole of their collections. I have accordingly decided to withdraw the directions to collect and segregate waste paper served on local authorities in 1940 under the Defence Regulations, and to let supply and demand find their own level. Local authorities have just been informed of this decision and the necessary statutory instruments are being prepared. The statutory scale of maximum prices for waste paper will however remain.

I should like to pay a tribute to the magnificent work done on paper salvage by local authorities during the war and subsequently, and to appeal to them and to the general public not to regard the removal of the compulsory salvage regulations as any indication that paper salvage is no longer required. The surplus of mixed waste over demand is not large, and in the case of other grades of waste demand is barely met. It is abundantly clear that we cannot afford to dispense with this essential contribution which waste paper makes to our national economy.

Mr. Symonds

Can my right hon. Friend take some further steps to make it clear that paper salvage is still necessary, as some local authorities have the impression that it is no longer necessary at all?

Mr. Wilson

As I have tried to make clear, we still need paper salvage in general, and especially in particular grades. The situation in regard to mixed waste has become very much easier in recent months.

Sir Ian Fraser

Would the Minister say how the law of supply and demand can operate if prices remain fixed under a control?

Mr. John Paton

Could my right hon. Friend say whether imported waste paper of similar type to the salvage, has played a part in creating the surplus?

Mr. Wilson

My impression is that it has not, but perhaps my hon. Friend would put a Question down.

29. Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will furnish figures showing the recent progress of the paper salvage campaign.

Mr. H. Wilson

During the first five month of 1949, the receipts of waste paper by board and paper mills have averaged 71,400 tons a month as compared with nearly 63,000 tons a month in 1948.

Mr. Symonds

Can my right hon. Friend say if this increase in the available supplies of paper waste is a result of the campaign carried on by the football pools promoters?

Mr. Wilson

I have no doubt that it will help. The figures I gave were for the first five months of 1949, and that is a little early for it to take effect.