asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made in research into methods of de-inking wastepaper, in view of the world shortage of wood pulp.

A major paper manufacturer is successfully operating a de-inking plant for the production of newsprint from waste paper. The Department is shortly hoping to place a pre-production order for a new, United Kingdom-developed de-inking system. This arrangement will enable it to be evaluated by another leading paper manufacturer. The development of a de-inking system is therefore being actively pursued by industry, but other resources are available such as those of PIRA—the Research Association for the Paper and Board, Printing and Packaging Industries—should specific problems arise.