§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received from the paper industry about the consequences of the recent strength of the pound. [108230]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonNone.
Government clearly understand the concerns of businesses, particularly manufacturers in the paper industry and elsewhere trading within Europe, about the level of the pound. But we are determined to take a long-term view; it would be wrong to let short-term pressures lead back to policies which produced boom and bust in the past. Short-term fixes would be the biggest threat of all to industry, creating the illusion of temporary relief followed by the reality of long-term damage. The Government's economic policies are aimed at achieving sustained growth.