§ Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in view of the lack of demand in the United Kingdom paper and board industry and the 299W degree of short-time working being experienced, he will take steps to ensure that no further upward reviews of duty free quotas take place in relation to imports from the United Kingdom's previous EFTA partners who did not join the EEC.
§ Mr. KaufmanI am aware of the difficulties currently facing the United Kingdom paper and board industry and my right hon. Friend the Lord Beswick has agreed to meet representatives of the British Paper and Board Industry Federation before any changes are made to the present duty free quota levels. Their views will be taken fully into account. However, in setting quota levels the Government must take into account not only the interests of the producers but also of the intermediate and ultimate consumers who no less have their difficulties.