HC Deb 06 December 1927 vol 211 c1154
7. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the possibilities of a world shortage of tin; and whether, in view of the importance of this metal to the industries of this country, he will confer with the Secretary of State for India and the Secretary of State for the Dominions and Colonies with a view to active geological surveys being undertaken to attempt to discover new sources within the Empire?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 28th November to the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle), a copy of which I am sending him. The importance, from the point of view of our mineral resources, of geological surveys within the Empire has not been lost sight of, and arrangements are in progress for further surveys in certain areas.