§ 30. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the value of chipboard, plywood, and other types of woodboard produced in Western Germany during 1958 amounted to £58,165,000, whether he will give comparable figures for Great Britain; and what steps he contemplates to ensure the development and expansion of such forest-product-using industries in this country, despite the increased competition resulting from the Stockholm Agreement.
§ Mr. ErrollNo exactly comparable figure is available for Great Britain, but it is estimated that the quantity of chipboard, plywood and other types of woodboard produced in Western Germany in 1958 was about 760,000 tons while the corresponding quantity for Great Britain was 140,000 tons. For all types of woodboard the demand here greatly exceeds the present productive capacity, and no action on the part of my right hon. Friend appears to be called for.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIs my hon. Friend aware that abroad this is a rapidly expanding industry, and that it is desirable that we should have a bigger share of it?
§ Mr. ErrollI should have thought this presented a first-class opportunity for free enterprise in this country.
§ 31. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the President of the Board of Trade the present position with regard to negotiations designed to associate Finland with the European Free Trade Association; and whether he will ensure that, in connection with those negotiations, nothing will be agreed which will handicap the development of the chipboard industry in Great Britain, in so far as such development is essential to provide an adequate market for the rapidly increasing output of thinnings from British forests.
§ Mr. ErrollThe Finnish Government is, I understand, at present considering what proposals it may wish to make for Finnish participation in the arrangements planned by the European Free Trade Association. With regard to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend is aware of the interest which the chipboard industry would have in any negotiations that may take place.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIs my hon. Friend aware of the increasing difficulty of disposing of home-grown timber, particularly thinnings, partly as a result of the expenditure of public money by the Forestry Commission, and is it not desirable to have an outlet for this timber?
§ Mr. ErrollWe hope that the expanding chipboard industry in this country will be able to take up the increased output of thinnings.