§ 71. Commander R. Scott-Millerasked the Minister of Food if he will state the total production of tinplate for the first six months of 1951; and the estimated requirements of tinplate for the home canning of fruit and vegetables.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI am informed that tinplate production in the first half of 1951 was about 355,000 tons. As regards the second part of the Question, it is not possible to make an accurate estimate of all potential requirements, but they certainly considerably exceeded the 33,000 tons which it was possible to allocate.
§ Commander Scott-MillerIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that last year the needs of the home canning industry were not met owing to the export of tinplate, and will he ensure that the same thing does not happen again this year?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI will certainly do everything I can to meet that position. Of course, the requirements are very much greater than the supply. If we take the requirements of tinplate for all food products, they were very much higher than the figure of 33,000 indicated.