62. Mr. TERRELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that natural monazite sand from India is supplied to German manufacturers as raw material for the manufacture of incandescent gas mantles and ultimately that such gas mantles are exported to this country, and that in consequence of the collapsed exchange it is impossible for British manufacturers to compete; that one British firm has discharged its workpeople and is confining its activities to the sale of German-made mantles; and what course he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have no information as to the extent to which German manufacturers are at present obtaining supplies of natural monazite sand from India, but I am having inquiries made and will inform my hon. Friend of the result. The whole question of collapsed exchanges, which is one of very great difficulty, is receiving the earnest attention of His Majesty's Government. I shall be glad to consider any detailed information which my hon. Friend can supply as to the particular firm mentioned in the question.