§ 82. Sir J. D. REESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that British subjects own 75 per cent. of the 2,000,000 acres in the world planted with rubber, which may be valued at £200,000,000, and is a great Imperial asset, that development is impeded by canker and pink and other diseases, that quantities of Brunolinum Plantarium are needed to cure such diseases, that no licence is granted for the purchase and delivery of tar-oils other than creosote, that such tar-oils are needed for the manufacture of Brunolinum, for which light oils, distilling not less than 50 per cent. at 200 degrees centigrade, are useless; that Brunolinum supplants a German preparation used before the War; and whether, in view of these considerations, he will remove, so far as possible, such obstacles 1819 as exist to the export of Brunolinum to rubber plantations in the British Empire and to plantations belonging to British subjects?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYWith the approval of the Secretary of State for the Colonies permission has been given for the export of substantial quantities of products required for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease in rubber plantations, preferential treatment being given to the plantations of the British Empire.
Brunolinum Plantarium is a proprietary brand prepared from such products. I can express no opinion whether it is more efficacious than other brands, but the firm producing it have received equal facilities with those accorded to manufacturers of other brands, who have raised no objections to the use of light oils.
The policy of the Ministry in this matter has been controlled by the necessity of conserving tar oils as fuel for the Navy.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the hon. Gentleman say how many rubber companies the hon. Baronet who puts the question has been actually interested in by way of being a director or a chairman of a company?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI have not thought it necessary to make that inquiry.