§ Mr. Parryasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on her recent meeting with the Society of Allied and Graphic Trades, the Paper and Board Federation, the Newspaper Proprietors' Association and Bowaters concerning the future of the Bowater Mersey mill.
§ The Prime Minister:At the meeting on 3 October we had a very full discussion about the proposed closure, by Bowater, of its Mersey mill. I stressed the substantial Government assistance which could be available to the company for viable new investment at this mill in a special development area to improve its performance, and the better terms for coal and wood supplies which were being offered, on a commercial basis, by the National Coal Board and the Forestry Commission.
The Government's view is that, with new investment and the help indicated, it appears that the Mersey mill could return to profitability. I urged the company to take full account of this before making its final decision.