HC Deb 14 June 1951 vol 488 cc2485-7
9. Mr. H. A. Price

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action His Majesty's Government has taken, since 24th November last, to carry out the Resolution of the House of that day, with regard to the supply of paper and paper-making raw materials.

Sir H. Shawcross

We have continued our declared policy of providing facilities for the import of all the essential paper, board and paper making materials, and we have been ready to encourage any economic project for the further utilisation of domestic raw materials. We have also taken steps to economise on the use of paper in Government Departments and have given full support to the waste paper salvage campaign which is now producing record results. In addition, we have supported the setting up of the Pulp and Paper Committee of the International Materials Conference which is now studying world supplies of newsprint and kraft pulp. It is hoped that the work of this Committee may result in a more equitable distribution of available supplies.

Mr. Price

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only hope of short-term relief is in the maximum utilisation of home-produced straw, and that now is the time to look at this problem so far as this year's crop is concerned? Would he discuss the matter with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to see what can be done to that end?

Sir H. Shawcross

Yes, Sir. That possibility has been brought to my notice and is being examined. Another hon. Member has already communicated with me about it.

Sir William Darling

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman considered the possibility of using the common nettle, urtica, which was used by the Romans for making paper? There is an abundant supply in this country which could be used as a substitute.

Sir H. Shawcross

If the hon. Gentleman will provide me with a formula for converting the common nettle into newsprint I should be most grateful to him.

13. Mr. Nabarro

asked the President of the Board of Trade the cumulative tonnage of waste paper consigned to the mills during five months ended 31st May, 1951; whether the rate of consignment is now commensurate with the target of 1 million tons for the full year 1951; whether that target is now deemed adequate for all defence, export trade and home trade requirements during 1951; and whether the board manufacturing industry is now working to full capacity.

Sir H. Shawcross

Statistics of mills receipts of waste paper for the month of May are not yet available. In the 16 weeks ending 28th April, 1951, mills' receipts amounted to approximately 302,000 tons. Although receipts reached the record rate of 1,056,000 tons per annum in the month of April, board mills are still partly idle for the lack of waste paper. Full requirements probably considerably exceed the rate of 1 million tons per annum.

Mr. Nabarro

Is this not a case for a considerable enlargement of the salvage plans of the Waste Paper Recovery Association, for is it not clear that we are not yet by any means collecting all this valuable salvage material?

Sir H. Shawcross

Collection is going reasonably well. Only four councils with populations of over 50,000 have not yet decided to start separate collections, but I am anxious that all local authorities should assist in this most important task.

Mr. Paton

Is it not a fact that, on the information which the Minister has given us, this is obviously the time for applying compulsion to the local authorities who refuse to do anything in the matter? I am distressed at the amount of paper from my own home which I have seen wasted and which ought to be put to effective use in the salvage drive, but which is not used because my local authority will not do anything about it.

Wing Commander Bullus

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the Waste Paper Recovery Association's statement that the campaign of collection of waste paper is threatened with collapse?

Sir H. Shawcross

I could not concur in that statement.

Mr. Nabarro

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the criterion in this matter is not the number of authorities collecting but the enthusiasm with which each authority collects?

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

10. Lieut.-Colonel Sir THOMAS MOORE—To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his plans for controlling the rising price of sisal so as to make it economically possible for Scottish fishermen to maintain their fishing gear efficiently, or replace it when worn out.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

On a point of order. Some of us are alarmed, Sir, at the mysterious disappearance of the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore), in whose name Question No. 10 is on the Order Paper. Could not an arrangement be made for the Question to be asked?

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is not here to ask the Question, so it cannot be asked.