HC Deb 20 July 1953 vol 518 cc12-3
15. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Materials the proportion of sulphuric acid which is manufactured in Britain from materials locally produced.

Sir A. Salter

At the present time 30 per cent. of the sulphuric acid in this country is made from home-produced materials.

Dr. Stross

Does the Minister agree that the figure of 30 per cent. does not leave us safe if any outside sources of sulphur were to fail us for any reason? Can he say what action has been taken to find alternative sources from other countries, particularly in the Commonwealth? Further, what is being done to make us independent by using locally-produced material, up to something like 100 per cent.?

Sir A. Salter

The use of anhydrite, to take one example, will be multiplied by about three times within a few years, when certain plans are completed. I do not think that we can hope to be independent, in any case. As I said previously, in general we have to aim rather at assuring alternative sources of supply, as a supplement to home production, rather than autarky.