§ 15. Mr. John Grimstonasked the Minister of Supply to what extent he has recently had to pay more for zinc on the Continent than the price at which he sells it to consumers in this country.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussIt would be contrary to established practice to disclose contract prices.
§ Mr. GrimstonIs not it a fact that the Ministry have been forced to buy on the Continent at a figure higher than the selling price in this country?
§ Mr. StraussIf I gave an answer to that question I should be disclosing the type of price we pay, and that would be contrary to established practice.
§ 17. Mr. J. Grimstonasked the Minister of Supply if the allocation of zinc to Royal Ordnance factories is restricted to 90 per cent. of their 1949 intake in the same way as the allocation of zinc to the rest of industry is restricted.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussThe demands of the Royal Ordnance factories for zinc for defence work will be met in full. For civilian work they will be treated in the same way as commercial manufacturers.
§ Mr. GrimstonDo we understand from that answer that private manufacturers requiring zinc for defence work will also be met in this way?
§ Mr. StraussYes, Sir.