HC Deb 31 July 1956 vol 557 c1126
9. Mr. Russell

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that it remains the policy of the Government to encourage the salvage of as much waste paper as possible.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The policy of the Government is to encourage the salvage of as much waste paper as can be collected and used economically.

Mr. Russell

May I ask my right hon. Friend to explain what he means by "collected and used economically", in view of the fact that he is now allowing free imports of wood pulp and paper-making materials from all over the Continent, which have put an end to the incentive to collect in this country?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I mean that there is a limit to the amount of waste paper which can be economically used.

Mr. Bottomley

How can the President say that the Government are giving encouragement? If I can give a personal experience, I would say that, having been told, when at the Board of Trade, to save paper, I have offered paper to the dustman for three weeks in succession, and he has said, "Put it in the dustbin in the ordinary way; there is no demand for paper".