§ 5. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the agreement recently signed between the Harriman Combine and the Soviet Government has placed a monopoly of Caucasian peroxide of manganese in the hands of an American combine; and, as this product is largely used by British bottle manufacturers, whether any efforts are being made to find a substitute in order that British manufacturers may not be wholly dependent upon the owners of this monopoly?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI have no reason to think that the arrangement to which the hon. Member refers will interfere with the supplies to British glass makers. I may point out that satisfactory supplies of manganese peroxide are obtainable from other sources, such as India, and also that other substances are available for use as glass decolorizers.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it a fact, as asked in the Question, that a monopoly of this product has been given to an American combine by the Russian Government?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThere is, I believe, a concession, and I believe the terms do give a monopoly. It is only for a period, but that appears to be only transferring the monopoly which the Soviet already exercise to someone else.