HC Deb 14 February 1956 vol 548 cc2154-6
23. Mr. Lee

asked the President of the Board of Trade what efforts Her Majesty's Government are making to reach agreement with Dominion and colonial Governments to increase the supply of scarce raw materials to this country.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

We attach importance to the continuous consultations between the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth Governments on all economic matters of common concern. I do not, however, think that agreements of the kind the hon. Member appears to have in mind would be the most effective way of securing adequate supplies of raw materials. These are not, generally speaking, scarce, and temporary shortages are most effectively dealt with by direct negotiations between the commercial interests immediately concerned.

Mr. Lee

Would not the President of the Board of Trade agree that this country is more dependent upon the import of raw materials, which are now becoming scarce, than is any other great manufacturing nation? Is he not further aware that the manufacturing potential of others is increasing at such a rate that, if we are not careful, we shall find ourselves in the middle of a raw material famine?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am very much aware of the dependence of an importing-exporting country such as ours on supplies of raw materials from all over the world. That is why Her Majesty's Government have pursued a policy of opening up commodity markets and making materials available to manufacturing industries at the cheapest price.

24. Mr. Lee

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a White Paper outlining the supply position of the principal raw material imports upon which our industries depend, and the countries from which they come, with the estimated increases in world extraction and industrial consumption rates since 1950.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

No, Sir. This information is readily available in various publications, but if the hon. Member would let me know of any particular raw material about which he requires information I will do my best to provide the answers.

Mr. Lee

The Minister has already informed me of a world shortage of nickel. Is he aware that other alloys, steel alloys and things of that type, are in short supply, and that this attitude of the Government of waiting until calamity hits us before they begin to do anything about it is disastrous? If he will consult industry—I am not merely instancing the trade union side—he will find that there is great apprehension in industry itself. Will he look at the problem and give us a White Paper which will clearly depict the state in which we hope our raw material supply will be in the future?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am happy at all times to have the views of the industry, including of course those of the trade unions, on important matters of this kind. But I do not see that any useful purpose would be served at the moment by the issue of a wide-ranging White Paper which would probably be out of date in its information by the time it had been out for a week. I prefer to give information on individual cases, as requested by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Nabarro

A very polished performance indeed, if I may say so.