§ Mr. CohenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the British Paper and Board Industry Federation about waste paper recycling; what new measures Her Majesty's Government now propose to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have on two occasions recently met members of the British Paper and Board Industry Federation to discuss waste paper recycling. The federation expressed concerns to us over the impact of the German packaging regulations which we are taking very seriously indeed. My right hon. Friend has written to European Commissioners and to the German Economics Minister about this matter, and we are urgently considering what further action, consistent with our EC and international obligations, might be taken to alleviate the difficulties being experienced by some sectors of the United Kingdom recycling industry.