HC Deb 22 February 1954 vol 524 cc10-1
16. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, the materials that still remain subject to State trading, after return of jute to private trading; and whether he will state in convenient form the extent of reversion from State trading in materials, to private trading since October, 1951.

Mr. Amory

Apart from raw jute and imported jute goods, private trading has yet to be restored only in tungsten ore. Since October, 1951, private trading has been restored in timber, fertilisers, lead, zinc, aluminium, copper, true hemp, magnesium, pyrites and sulphur.

Mr. Nabarro

A very satisfactory answer. What purpose is now served by continuing this Ministry, this Socialist excrescence, for controlling just one raw material, tungsten ore? Can it not be wound up at an early date?

Mr. Amory

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in March last year.

Mr. Nabarro

Cannot we have a more recent answer than that of 12 months ago? Surely we do not want a Ministry for tungsten ore?

Mr. Amory

Knowing my hon. Friend's iron discipline of mind, and knowing the spate of good news he has had in this field recently, I urge him to exercise the virtue of patience.

17. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, the economies in money and manpower in the Ministry of Materials resulting from reversion to private trading since October, 1951; and the date on which it is proposed that the Ministry of Materials will be expunged.

Mr. Amory

The cost of administration of the Ministry of Materials for 1951–52 was at the rate of £1,224,000. The estimate for the current financial year is £838,000. The numbers of staff were 1,866 on 1st October, 1951, and 932 on 1st February, 1954. The Ministry still has much work to do, including, among other matters, the disposal of the large stocks of raw materials in its possession at the end of State trading. The last part of the Question is one on which I cannot make any statement at present.