§ 89. Mr. Woodasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he is aware that large amounts of sterling are being spent on imports of fibre building boards; that this has resulted in short-time working in the mills at home; that there is danger of the mills having to shut down altogether if the situation worsens; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Brigadier MackesonExpenditure on imports of fibre building boards in the first six months of this year is only about half that in the first six months of last year. Production in the home mills was well maintained until the end of April, but has now been affected by a general fall in demand. Import quotas have been fixed up to the end of June. When the time comes to fix quotas for the second half of the year account will be taken of the state of demand in the home market as well as of other factors.