§ 8. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that Germany has recently imported some 100 tons of zirconium ore from Brazil, and that this ore is mainly employed to obtain an alloy which is used for the lining of heavy guns; and whether any request has been addressed to the German Government for information on this matter?
§ Sir J. SIMONI have seen in the Press a statement to the effect that 96 tons of zirconium ore were shipped from Brazil to Germany last February. According to my information, this ore is not used in the manufacture of steel and does not therefore figure in the manufacture of gun linings. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONWhat is the ore used for?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am informed that it is used for the lining of furnaces.