HC Deb 29 July 1952 vol 504 cc98-9W
131. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, in view of the difficulties experienced by voluntary and other bodies, who engage in the collection of waste paper for salvage, in disposing of it, what steps he is taking so to regulate the import of wood pulp as to ensure that such salvage is used.

Mr. Mackeson

The greater part of the waste paper collected is used for making boards and wrapping papers, for which little or no wood pulp is imported. Severe restrictions have been imposed on imports of wood pulp.

Some higher quality waste paper is used in substitution of wood pulp for making other sorts of paper, but this must first be segregated. Almost all the waste paper offered by voluntary bodies and local authorities is unsorted and my noble Friend would not, therefore, be justified in trying to force paper mills to use it in substitution for their limited supplies of wood pulp, to the detriment of the quality of their products, in which there is an important export trade.