HC Deb 31 January 1952 vol 495 c345
20. Mr. Anthony Hurd

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he is taking to encourage the use of home-grown straw for paper-making, in view of the scarcity and high price of wood pulp; and how far production is expected to increase in the near future.

The Secretary for Overseas Trade (Mr. Henry Hopkinson)

While my noble Friend is most anxious to see an extension of the use of home-grown straw for this purpose, he regrets that he cannot at present encourage new projects because of the shortage of chlorine.

In reply to the second part of the Question, the current consumption of straw by the paper and board mills and the straw pulp producers is about 180,000 tons per annum. During the current year, on the completion of schemes now in hand, straw consumption should increase further by about a third.

Mr. Hurd

Will the Government keep well in mind the possibilities of increasing the production of paper from such materials as straw because of the high cost and scarcity of imported materials for paper making?

Mr. Hopkinson

Yes, Sir.