§ 93. Mr. Rentonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of home-produced straw, which has been used since 1940 in paper manufacture, is being ousted from the home market by imported esparto 261W grass, and other materials; and whether he will take steps to ensure that all available home supplies are fully used and foreign exchange saved by the prohibition of imports if necessary.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsEsparto grass which is imported from soft currency sources is more suitable for the production of certain papers and in those circumstances we are not prepared to curtail the supplies as suggested by the hon. Member.