§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to148W overcome the shortage of raw material in the paper industry?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe shortage is being met by drastically reducing consumption of paper, by developing to the fullest extent the home supplies of material, chiefly waste paper, and by importing from North America. It will be appreciated, however, that considerations of availability of shipping space and of the conservation of exchange restrict the extent to which recourse can be had to the last-mentioned step.
§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the shortage of raw material for the manufacture of paper, any steps are being taken to use straw for this purpose; and whether any arrangements are being made with suitable paper mills to increase the necessary plant for handling this kind of material?
§ Mr. MorrisonConsiderable quantities of straw are being acquired by the paper mills which are suitably equipped to deal with it. At least one straw pulping plant is being extended, but any general expansion must have regard to the quantities of raw material available. Continuous attention will be given to the problem.