§ 16. Mr. Gammansasked the Minister of Supply if he will issue a statement showing the stocks of cotton, wool, rubber, tin, zinc, lead and timber, both in weight and value, on 1st January, 1947, as compared with 1st January, 1946.
§ Mr. WilmotAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GammansWould not the Minister agree that in so far as there is reduction in these stocks that really falsifies the export figures which were issued for last year's 1511 trade; and will he say whether the Government are satisfied with the stocks of those raw materials which are under the right hon. Gentleman's control?
§ Mr. WilmotI think I had better have that on the Paper before answering. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me notice of the Question?
§ Mr. GammansSurely, the right hon. Gentleman can say if he is satisfied with the stocks in hand now?
§ Following is the answer;
§ Stock figures, by weight, for tin, zinc and lead are published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics, to which I would refer the hon. Member. United Kingdom delivered prices at the dates mentioned are:
| PER TON. | |||||||
| — | Tin. | Virgin Zinc. | Refined Lead. | ||||
| £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | |
| 1st January, 1946. | 300 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 5 | 0 | 30 |
| 1st January, 1947. | 380 | 10 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 0 | 70 |
§ The other raw materials to which the hon. Member refers are the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade.