§ 35. Mr. Willisasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from Scotland concerning the paper-making trade and the proposed Outer Seven Free Trade Area; and what reply he has made.
§ Sir D. EcclesA number of Scottish paper mills have made representations. I have replied that their views will be given full consideration in assessing the balance of advantage of a Free Trade Area of the Seven.
§ Mr. WillisIs not the President of the Board of Trade aware that what he has so far said is quite unsatisfactory to the 17,000 men and women employed in the industry, and also to the burghs built up around these mills? What we would really like is some assurance that the Government will take the necessary precautions to safeguard these people's employment.
§ Sir D. EcclesThere are certain safeguards that we can take; for example, to see that the mills have access to pulp at the same price as have Scandinavian mills, and to see that, if they wish, our mills can make investments in Scandinavia. We hope that we will be able to secure those safeguards.
§ Mr. WillisSurely the right hon. Gentleman realises that to invest in Sweden does not provide employment for people in Scotland?
§ Sir D. EcclesIf it secures the pulp, it is worth doing.