§ 16. Mr. Gammansasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the negotiations he has conducted with the United States Government with a view to facilitating the export of natural rubber to that country.
§ Mr. H. WilsonAt the tripartite discussions in Washington in September, the United States representatives stated that the United States Government was prepared to open to natural rubber a substantial additional area of competition, including a modification of the Government regulations relating to the consumption of synthetic rubber, and that it would review its stockpiling programme. Later in that month, the regulations were in fact relaxed so as to enable United States manufacturers, if they so desire, to use an additional 50,000 tons of natural rubber in 1950. The Bureau of Federal Supplies has also recently announced that it will consider offers for limited quantities of rubber for the stockpile.
§ Mr. GammansCan the right hon. Gentleman give any firm figures with regard to the possibilities of stockpiling?
§ Mr. WilsonNo, Sir, not at this stage.
§ Mr. W. FletcherWere the Dutch, as the next biggest rubber producers, taken into consultation in this matter?
§ Mr. WilsonI would like notice of that question.
§ Mr. ScollanIn view of the proposal to allow £50,000 worth to go into the country, may I ask whether there has been any change in the regulations which said that 62 per cent. of all rubber goods used in the United States must be made of synthetic rubber?
§ Mr. WilsonI do not think that my hon. Friend has stated the regulation correctly. The changes do not represent a decision to import £50,000 worth more. It was some modification—I cannot call it more than that—of the regulations.