HC Deb 20 July 1953 vol 518 cc8-11
7. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Materials what arrangements have been made to avoid, in the future, a shortage of materials; and how far any recent survey has been made of minerals and materials throughout the country and under the sea.

Sir A. Salter

Development of world supplies of most raw materials is at present keeping pace with demand. In exceptional cases, such as sulphur, Her Majesty's Government are encouraging the use of alternative materials, or, as with aluminium, have made special arrangements with overseas suppliers. The Geological Survey is continuing to make available to potential mining enterprise information about the mineral resources of the United Kingdom, which, as the hon. Member will realise, cannot be expected to meet more than a small proportion of our needs.

Mr. Smith

That answer is satisfactory as far as it goes, but does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the success of his policy and of his Ministry would make a substantial contribution to the solution of Britain's balance of payments problem, and if so, does it not need a greater drive behind it in order that it can make an adequate contribution in that direction?

Sir A. Salter

I agree that something can be done. For some months I have been in very close consultation with the Geological Survey and the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, whom I am meeting again tomorrow by virtue of arrangements made some time ago. In general, we must regard our main policy as that of assuring alternative supplies rather than of autarky in this country.

Mr. Stokes

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply to the first part of the Question, may I ask whether he has made a careful study of the Paley Report? It is all very well to say there are no shortages at the moment, but surely the important point is that in 10 or 15 years' time there will be a world shortage unless considerable steps are taken now in overseas territories?

Sir A. Salter

I have made a very careful study of the Paley Report, although, of course, I have not read every word in its five volumes. I fully realise that the long-term problem is different from the short-term situation where there is, generally speaking, amplitude.

Mr. Smith

Does not the Report prove that the British Commonwealth of Nations will be in a strong position as time goes on? If so, is the Ministry consulting the countries which constitute the Commonwealth, so that we can stake out our claim when that time arrives and take an independent line compared with other countries which are now trying to take advantage of us?

Sir A. Salter

I agree that there are important conclusions about future development in the Commonwealth in the Paley Commission's Report.

8. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Materials what arrangements he has made with other countries for the supply of materials.

Sir A. Salter

In answer to a previous Question, I said that I would be circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the commodities which the Ministry is importing on public account. There is no longer a shortage in most commodities, and importation is, therefore, now very largely in private hands. In some cases, however, the supply is assisted by trade negotiations, for which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is responsible; and in general, my Department watches the supply position to see whether any form of Government assistance is desirable.

Mr. Smith

Is the Minister aware that some of us cannot approach these problems in the flippant, irresponsible manner of which we have had experience this afternoon? Is he further aware that those of us who have come out of industry are afraid of the costs of production, and feel that a substantial reduction in the cost of raw materials would assist in that direction?

Sir A. Salter

I do not think the hon. Gentleman is justified in the use of either of the epithets which he has just applied to me——

Mr. Smith

May I make it quite clear that they were not intended for the Minister at all? I used them in defence of the Minister.

Sir A. Salter

I thank the hon. Gentleman and withdraw my comment. I believe that if we compare what we have done in the period of 21 months or so that we have been in office, with the absence of action in the two years or more which have elapsed since the Report of the Westwood Committee, we need not fear the comparison.

Mr. Stokes

I did not follow up this matter on the previous Question, because this Question was on the Order Paper. It is all very well for the Minister to say that we did not achieve anything, but we did start. [Laughter.] Anybody who knows anything about this matter knows that these things take time. I want to hear from the Minister what steps his Ministry or the Government are actively taking overseas to stimulate the increase of raw materials in the British Commonwealth of nations.

Sir A. Salter

A full answer to that would require much more information than it is possible to give now, but I would point out that if the right hon. Gentleman refers to the two years which elapsed after the Westwood Report, quite apart from any question of action, the Government did not even accept in principle the recommendations of that Report.

We have done a good deal by increasing the initial allowance for mining, and also by the removal of development charges.

Miss Ward

Will my right hon. Friend inquire from the right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) in what direction he started?

Mr. Bottomley

Is the Minister aware that there is still a shortage of manganese and chrome ore? Has he any comments to make on the recent offer by the Soviet trade delegation to supply materials to this country?

Sir A. Salter

I cannot make any statement on that subject at this moment. I know what the right hon. Member has in mind.