§ 3. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent there is a shortage of caustic soda and soda ash; what is the world demand for the two products; and what steps have been taken during the past 20 years to increase production.
§ Mr. BottomleyAll demands for soda ash and caustic soda are being met in the home market. This is also true of export demands for soda ash, though some 586 increase in exports of caustic soda might be possible if supplies were available. The alkali industry has been expanding steadily since 1929, apart from the war years when expansion schemes were stopped. Schemes are now in progress to meet the anticipated gradual increase in demand from home and overseas.