HC Deb 16 March 1976 vol 907 c472W
Mr. Delargy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in view of the contraction facing the home-produced paper and board industry, he will take steps to reduce the imports of paper and board from the Nordic countries, whose percentage shares have increased since 1963 from 49 per cent. to 73 per cent. for newsprint and from 5 per cent. to 33 per cent. for printing and writings.

Mr. Deakins

The present arrangements for maintaining the bulk of the free trade in industrial products, including paper and board, built up in EFTA with the Nordic countries are the subject of free trade agreements which do not allow the introduction of import restrictions.

However, there is provision for a general review of the arrangements for paper and board in order to relate dutyfree quotas to the state of the United Kingdom market. I am arranging to have this review carried out in the near future.