High-Grade Paper

HC Deb 25 February 1958 vol 583 cc185-6

21. Mr. Tiley

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council. what research is being supported by the Government with a view to lessening the cost of high quality paper.

Mr. H. Nicholls

The British Paper and Board Research Association, supported by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has recently perfected an improved process for the pulping of straw and esparto for use in making high-grade papers. This has increased the yield of pulp, from 40 per cent., in the old process, to about 55 per cent., without any falling off in the quality of the final product.

Mr. Tiley

While thanking my hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him two questions? Is any commercial use being made of this new process? Secondly, because of the increased yield of the pulp, is paper to be any cheaper?

Mr. Nicholls

Full trials have been conducted in the actual process, but it has not been put to commercial use so far because of the difficulty of getting an even supply of esparto at present. The process will certainly decrease the cost of pulp, but we are not in a position to say whether or not the paper which flows from that will be cheaper.