§ 29. Mr. HAYDAYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the French Government has recently concluded an agreement with the German Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik for the exploitation of methods of manufacturing synthetic ammonia; and whether, in view of the great importance of being independent of foreign supplies of nitrates, the British Government has taken or intends to take similar steps?
§ 45. Major MOULTONasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the acquisition by the French Government of the patents and technical information necessary for the production of nitrates by the Haber-Bosch process with a view to that Government producing such nitrates on a very large scale; and whether the British Government proposes to take any and what steps to promote large scale production of nitrates in this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Stephen Walsh)I have been asked to reply to these questions. My attention has been drawn to the matter referred to in the first part of the questions. Similar steps have been taken by the British Government in conjunction with a British firm.
§ Major MOULTONIs it not a fact that the steps which have been taken by the French Government are producing 120,000 tons of nitrates each year?
§ Mr. WALSHI can only say that this is a matter of great public interest and at present as it is entirely confidential it is not in the public interest to give any further information.