§ 74. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will investigate the possibility of arranging for United Kingdom firms to purchase Southern Rhodesian chrome ore in return for Southern 1289 Rhodesian exporters purchasing United Kingdom hardware and textiles, so as to divert to the United Kingdom purchases by Southern Rhodesia which are now placed outside the United Kingdom as a result of the export of Southern Rhodesian chrome ore to non-British countries?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo, Sir. This country already satisfies most of her requirements of chromium ore from Southern Rhodesia. The trade returns for last year indicate that of our imports of this commodity, amounting in value to £110,243 in all, nearly £80,000 worth was of Southern Rhodesian origin, while a further £14,000 worth was derived from other sources within the Empire.