HC Deb 23 May 1949 vol 465 cc870-1
26. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre

asked the Minister of Supply to state, in relation to each base metal bought in bulk by his Department, the length of contracts entered into and the countries with which such contracts have been made.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

My Department has the following contracts for imported metal:

Aluminium: The current contract covers deliveries from Canada up to March, 1950.

Copper: Contracts cover deliveries up to the end of this year from Canada, Rhodesia, the Belgian Congo and Chile.

Lead and Zinc: Contracts cover deliveries up to the end of June, 1949, for both metals from Canada and Australia and for lead from Northern Rhodesia.

Tin Ore: from Nigeria and East Africa. No period is fixed for these contracts, which are subject to termination by three months' notice.

Tin Metal: from Malaya. My Department has agreed to buy the total output until further notice.

Chrome Ore: Current contracts cover deliveries up to the end of October from Rhodesia and Baluchistan; up to September, 1949, from the Philippines; and April, 1950, from Turkey.

Imported steel is purchased in bulk by the British Iron and Steel Corporation under the supervision of the Ministry of Supply.