§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes to take in the EEC Council of Ministers in response to the recommendation of the Paper and Board Sector Working Party concerning the need to maintain a reasonable ratio between the price of pulp and that of paper.
§ Mr. Meacher, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 21st April 1978; Vol. 948, c. 379], gave the following information:
The recommendations of the sector working party refer largely to a period before improvement in sterling's position in relation to the dollar and the Nordic currencies. Sterling's currently more favourable situation and a fall in world pulp prices have gone far to redress the balance. It is difficult to control the pulp/paper price ratio in the face of market forces and currency fluctuations, but we will continue to seek to influence Nordic and North American Governments where this is justified.