§ 31. Mr. Hendryasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will impose quantitative control on imports of paper of the kinds manufactured in areas of high unemployment.
§ Mr. HendryI thank my hon. Friend for that courtesy. Does he recollect that the Minister of Labour, a fortnight ago, said that 1,700 people normally employed in the paper-making industry were registered as unemployed? As every 30 tons of paper imported means one British workman out of work for a whole year, what steps is my hon. Friend taking to remedy this serious situation?
§ Mr. GreenI am aware of the anxiety felt by all paper makers, regardless of whether or not they are situated in development districts. The difficulty, in reply to my hon. Friend's original question, is to ensure that if we protect a certain type of paper it will not also be made in an area that is not a development district. He will appreciate the versatility of paper-making machines and paper-making people.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes the hon. Member realise that the paper-making industry in the north of Scotland, and especially in Aberdeen, is being prejudiced, now that there is unemployment in the industry? Will he take steps to see that justice is done to that industry?
§ Mr. GreenI am interested in the affairs of this industry, and I can assure the hon. and learned Member that Aberdeen has not been particularly prejudiced in this matter. I can also assure him that I am in close personal touch with the paper-making industry and with its present problems.