§ 19. Mr. Greville Howardasked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage of the total production of tinplate of the quality used for canning which has been exported in the last six months; and in what proportion this percentage is allocated to the countries concerned.
Mr. H. WilsonNo official figures are available, but I understand that deliveries of tinplate of all grades in the six months ended 30th September were 316,000 tons. During the same period, 127,000 tons, or 512 about 40 per cent., were exported; but not all of this was of a quality suitable for can making. With the hon. Member's permission, I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing how these exports were distributed between countries.
§ Mr. HowardCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether canners have been told that no further tinplate is available for them?
Mr. WilsonThat is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, who has to deal with the position of the home canners.
§ Mr. HarrisonCan my right hon. Friend say whether there is any possibility of restriction in the amount of canned foodstuffs because of the restriction on tinplate supplies?
Mr. WilsonThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, but it is true that tinplate for the home canning industry is extremely short and has been severely restricted.
§ Mr. BaldwinIn view of the fact that English fruit canners have been advised of a lesser supply of tinplate for next year, will the right hon. Gentleman take care that our tin is not sent to countries abroad, in order to bring back tinned fruit while our own fruit is rotting on the ground?
Mr. WilsonYes, Sir. The supply position is very difficult indeed, but we shall attempt to get a fair distribution as between the home and export markets.
Following is the table:
UNITED KINGDOM EXPORTS OF TINPLATE April—September, 1950 Tons Union of South Africa 10,663 British East Africa 1,982 Pakistan 3,962 Malaya 4,298 Australia 33,367 New Zealand 9,140 Other Comonwealth Countries 12,529 Irish Republic 2,586 Soviet Union — Norway 1,869 Denmark 4,248 Spain 1,269 Egypt 1,643 Iran 3,457 Brazil 1,031 Uruguay 727 Argentine Republic 16,071 Other Foreign Countries 17,883 Total 126,725