§ 1. Mr. Michael Shawasked the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the contributions to exports and to import saving made in the manufacturing process of producing cocoa from cocoa beans and the waste paper recovery industry, respectively.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Edmund Dell)United Kingdom exports of cocoa, chocolate and other preparations containing cocoa last year amounted to £14.9 million. It is not possible to estimate the import saving made in the manufacturing process of producing cocoa from cocoa beans which is but one part of a complex food manufacturing process. In 1968, waste paper to the value of about £1.9 million was exported. As far as the contribution to import saving by the waste paper industry is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which my hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker) on 12th March this year.—[Vol. 779, c. 298.]
§ Mr. ShawIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the purpose of my Question has been largely overtaken in that investment grants and S.E.T. repayments are now to be made in respect of wastepaper processes? On what basis do the decisions about making an investment grant differ from the bases on which decisions are made about the repayment of S.E.T?
§ Mr. DellI thought that the hon. Gentleman's purpose had been overtaken by the decision announced a few days ago. The essential characteristic of investment grants is that they are given in respect of manufacturing processes and manufacturing industries which produce a substantial change in the article concerned. The legislation governing S.E.T. is different.