§ 34. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the recent results of chemical research demonstrating that nitrogen compounds can be procured from the atmosphere; whether at present our supply of nitrate is entirely imported from foreign countries; and whether it is his intention to encourage the home manufacture of nitrate by the new methods discovered, thereby freeing us from dependence on foreign countries and developing what it is hoped may become a great new industry in this country?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe answer to the first two parts of the question is yes. As regards the last part of the question, the whole matter has been considered by a strong Committee appointed by the Minister of Munitions, which has just reported. I am not at present in a position to make any statement as to any further Government action in the matter.