HC Deb 19 November 1951 vol 494 cc12-3
25. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will report the progress being made by the International Materials Conference on the allocation of raw materials, giving details of the work of the individual committees and the allocations made to the United Kingdom and the supplies received.

The Secretary for Overseas Trade (Mr. Henry Hopkinson)

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the article in the Board of Trade Journal for 17th November, a copy of which I am sending to him. This article summarises the progress made by the International Materials Conference and sets out the activities of the individual committees.

With permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table comparing the allocations made to the United Kingdom with the actual supplies of material which have been or are expected to be made available for United Kingdom consumption under these allocations.

Mr. Chetwynd

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any action is being taken to bring about international buying and price controls, and, further, whether any progress is being made with the allocation of wool and newsprint?

Mr. Hopkinson

Yes, Sir. As regards price control, the position is that the Tungsten-Molybdenum Committee of I.M.C. are actually working on a long-term agreement providing for minimum and maximum prices. We hope that the orderly allocation of materials by the conference, will help to lessen violent fluctuations of prices throughout the world.

ALLOCATIONS FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1951 MADE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM BY THE INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS CONFERENCE
Metric tons
Commodity Allocation to the United Kingdom for the Third Quarter, 1951 Amount of Third Quarter allocation made available for consumption in United Kingdom in Third Quarter Allocation to the United Kingdom for the Fourth Quarter, 1951 Amount of Fourth Quarter allocation expected to be available for consumption in United Kingdom in Fourth Quarter
Sulphur … 106,300 103,800 102,300 102,300
Copper … Copper was not allocated until the Fourth Quarter. 91,960 83,900
Zinc … Zinc was not allocated until the Fourth Quarter. 60,250 530
Tungsten … 695 653 690 700
Molybdenum … 515 478 538 578
Nickel … Nickel was not allocated until the Fourth Quarter. 5,088 5,088
Cobalt … Cobalt was not allocated until the Fourth Quarter. 329.1 Home production is 265 tons; purchasing of the balance continues.
NOTE: International Materials Conference allocations are in the form of an entitlement for consumption and stockpiling in the given period. The allocation may be met from imports and home production.