§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of recent discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the EFTA Scandinavian countries on the subject of paper and board import quotas into the United Kingdom during 1976.
§ Mr. DeakinsDiscussion with the main EFTA supplier countries about the levels of duty free quotas for paper and board for 1976 are now nearing completion. The full representations made by the industry about its difficulties are being carefully taken into account throughout these discussions. There will be very few increases in the quota levels for 1976; these will include some minor adjustments and small increases in products which are not produced in the United Kingdom in sufficient quantities. I do not think a further statement is necessary as my right hon. Friend expects shortly to be able to lay an order before the House covering these quota levels.
§ Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Trade what were the total imports of paper and board from the EFTA Scandinavian countries to the United Kingdom over the past five years,
thousand tonnes Production Imports Implied Consumption* 1970 … … 4,942 2,793 7,487 1971 … … 4,368 2,922 7,112 1972 … … 4,374 3,339 7,444 1973 … … 4,708 3,574 8,190 1974 … … 4,627 4,066 8,254 1975 (January-June) … … 1,850 1,520 3,160 Estimates for the whole of 1975 are not available. * Implied consumption is production plus imports minus exports, adjusted for known stock changes.