HC Deb 13 December 1988 vol 143 cc495-7W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, pursuant to his reply in theOfficial Report of 28 November, column 102, to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Provan he will (a) list the academic evidence monitored by his Department, (b) indicate the dates of the reports he received from his Department with information suggesting the rate of growth in future demand for waste paper by the United Kingdom paper and board and printing industries.

Mr. Forth

[holding answer 12 December 1988]: No. My right hon. Friend does not have any such information.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take to help establish efficient systems for the collection and recycling of waste paper in order to meet the future demands of the United Kingdom paper and board industry.

Mr. Forth

[holding answer 12 December 1988]: My Department is in regular contact with the key players in the waste paper collecting and waste paper using industries. It is my aim to help promote the more efficient operation of the markets and utilise economically the maximum amount of waste paper.

I am always prepared to consider carefully ways of encouraging such efficiency improvements in the light of changing demands, in which connection I recently convened a meeting with the key players in the market to consider as a matter of urgency ways in which the system for collecting and recycling the appropriate grades of waste paper might be improved in the light of forecast demand. I hope to make an announcement in the new year about further steps to be taken.

I am also ready to consider any proposals which may come forward for further commitment conferences aimed at increasing the use of waste paper.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what information he has concerning the percentage volume of United Kingdom newsprint which has contained de-inked paper pulp in each of the last five years for which figures are available;

(2) what information he has concerning the total tonnage consumption of waste paper by the United Kingdom newsprint industry in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Forth

[holding answer 12 December 1988]: I do not have information on the extent to which de-inked paper pulp has been used in the manufacture of imported newsprint. But the position as regards United Kingdom-produced newsprint is given in the following table. For these purposes, consumption of waste paper is equated with consumption of de-inked paper pulp.

about the effects of mergers and takeovers on British industrial companies; and (c) list the higher education departments and centres and academics consulted by his Department on these matters.

Mr. Maude

[holding answer 12 December 1988]: The range of available academic evidence monitored by my Department is indicated in annex E of the Blue Paper on mergers policy which was published on 3 March this year. In addition, the economists of my Department provide me with a wide range of economic advice on United Kingdom industrial performance.