§ 18. Mr. Mulleyasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the import of substantial quantities of nickel from Japan without restriction, he will now relax the present prohibition of its use by cutlery manufacturers.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am afraid that owing to the needs of the re-armament programme we cannot yet relax the restrictions on the use of stainless nickel steel for cutlery. The use of nickel silver for cutlery is, of course, already permitted except for penknives. I am prepared to consider individual cases involving some special degree of hardship in relation to the use of nickel silver.
§ Mr. MulleyWhile thanking the Minister for his promise to look into individual cases, may I ask him if he is aware that, in Sheffield, there are great quantities of nickel which cannot be used because the firms owning the nickel are prohibited from putting it into their manufactures, which constitutes a handicap to them in their export efforts, because they have to run two or three lines of penknife production? Is he aware that five lb. of pure nickel would make 30 gross of small shields for pocket knives, and will he not have another look at the matter to see whether, along with copper and zinc, nickel cannot be made freely available?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI will keep this matter under examination, but the hon. Gentleman will realise that there are arrangements for controlling the end use of nickel which are arrived at in agreement with other Powers in O.E.E.C.
§ Mr. P. RobertsWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the amount of 578 nickel for pocket knives, which we are discussing, is very small, and that I do not think it will upset the national interest if the Minister makes this concession?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftMy hon. Friend will realise that pocket knives are on the common list under control arrangements with the O.E.E.C. countries. Perhaps he will have a word with me later on the matter.
§ 20. Mr. P. Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the use of nickel is unrestricted as regards the spoon and fork trade, he will allow the use of nickel in the pocket knife trade for the home market.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am afraid that it is not yet possible to allow the unrestricted use of nickel silver for pocket knives. I am, however, prepared to consider individual cases involving some special degree of hardship.
§ Mr. RobertsIs my right hon. Friend aware that we have discussed the question of the export market, and that this refers to the home market? Cannot he find a definition which will make a distinction between O.E.E.C. exports and the home market, because, if he can do so, I can assure him that it will be very greatly welcomed in Sheffield?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe same difficuIty arises about controlling the end use of nickel silver, but I said that I would look into special cases brought to my notice. If my hon. Friend wishes to enter into the discussion of the general question with me, perhaps he will come to see me.
§ Mr. RobertsI am much obliged to my right hon. Friend, but does he appreciate that special cases will not solve the problem of the home market as a whole?