HC Deb 08 May 1952 vol 500 cc538-9
28. Mr. Anthony Hurd

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he is aware that some board and paper mills can now only run their machines two-thirds of the normal time because of the lack of demand for their products; and to what extent a cut is being made in the imports of straw board from Holland and elsewhere so as to effect a saving in foreign currency without affecting the total supply available.

Mr. H. Strauss

My noble Friend is aware that the demand for some sorts of paper and board has recently declined. Import quotas for straw board have been fixed and currency allocations made to importers to run until the end of June. No decision has yet been taken about quotas for the second half of the year but the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend will be among those which will be kept in mind.

Mr. Hurd

As mills are now collecting more waste paper than they can use and as it is very desirable to maintain our home production of straw board, would it not be well to tell our Dutch friends that we would rather have their cheese than their straw board?