22. Mr. WingfieldDigby asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase there has been in imports of finished paper and board from Scandinavian producers in recent months to the nearest convenient date; and whether he is aware of the resulting difficulties for mills in this country.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Alan Green)The latest import figures appear in the Trade and Navigation Accounts for April. The Board of Trade are in close touch with the industry. The purpose of the European Free Trade Association is to increase the flow of trade between its members. As tariffs are progressively reduced, it is natural that imports should increase. For the same reason, British exports of industrial goods to all E.F.T.A. countries should also increase.
§ Mr. DigbyWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the future of these mills is extremely important for the increasing output of British woodlands, not least those of the Forestry Commission, where a great deal of public money is involved?
§ Mr. GreenI appreciate that point. My hon. Friend will be glad to know that in the period January to April, 1963, the United Kingdom production of paper and board was higher than in the corresponding period in 1962.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonHas not the increase in the flow of trade, which my hon. Friend has stated to be the object of the European Free Trade Association, been more in favour of our Scandinavian partners than of the United Kingdom? What action is open to the Government, now that the Stockholm Convention is a fact, to deal with competition of this kind, which is very dangerous to an important British industry?
§ Mr. GreenI am sure my hon. Friend accepts that provided the competition is fair and is not dumped or subsidised, it has to be accepted in a market in which tariffs are being reduced.