30. Mr. MEEHANasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if all the glycerine produced by Irish soap manufacturers has been commandeered by the Government at the price of £59 10s. per ton; if the War Office are paying American soap makers £250 per ton for glycerine and, if not, what price is being paid the American makers; if he is aware that the percentage of glycerine in the fats used in making soap is 10 per cent., and that the American manufacturer, owing to the price paid him for his glycerine, can afford to pay £20 per ton more for his fats than the Irish manufacturer and make his soap as cheaply; and if he is aware that the stopping of the importation of American soap during the War, owing to the increase in the production of British-made soap, would place at the disposal of the War Office an increased supply of cheap glycerine?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
As regards the second part, no glycerine is being bought from America by the Ministry of Munitions.
As regards the third part, the answer is in the affirmative.
As regards the rest of the question, I am not aware of the price being paid by American manufacturers of soap for their fats, nor what it costs them to make soap. All possible steps are being taken to increase the supply of cheap glycerine for war purposes.