§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take urgent action to help the British papermaking industry in the United Kingdom to meet its rapidly increasing costs caused by enlarged fuel bills, to avoid closures and to fend off injurious foreign import penetration.
§ Mr. David MitchellThrough their policies to reduce inflation the Government are already acting to restrain cost increases. As regards fuel costs, manufacturers overseas are also facing increases but the Government will consider very carefully the results of the CBI's current study of comparative energy prices, which we hope to receive shortly. I would add that studies of the paper and board industry suggest that there remains scope for the industry to make energy savings, though I acknowledge the efforts it is making in this regard.