§ 7. Mr. Niall Macphersonasked the President of the Board of Trade in what areas local authorities and voluntary 1189 organisations that collect wastepaper are finding difficulty in disposing of their collections; and what steps he is taking to assist those who are in difficulties.
§ Mr. H. WilsonAbout 20 local authorities, mostly in Scotland and the North of England, have reported difficulty in disposing of the whole of their collections of mixed waste, though sorted grades are moving freely. No representations have been received from voluntary organisations. I am in close touch with the board and paper mills and with merchants on measures to keep the collections moving, and the possibilities of exports are being explored. I would ask local authorities to regard the difficulties as only temporary, and not to relax the excellent efforts they have made over the last 12 months.
§ Mr. William ShepherdIs the House to understand from that reply that merchants are not now empowered to export this waste paper which is surplus to home requirements?
§ Mr. WilsonThere are, of course, exports going on to certain countries, but in many others, where there would be a very big market, the difficulty is to get those markets opened in respect of import licences.
§ Mr. MacphersonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has been informed by me of at least one voluntary organisation which is having such difficulties, and will he give some kind of undertaking that the Board of Trade will itself take up supplies or make other arrangements where difficulties arise in disposing of waste paper through the normal channels?
§ Mr. WilsonI will certainly see what I can do to deal with what I am sure is only a temporary difficulty.