§ Sir J. HARMOOD-BANNERasked the President of the Board of Trade why the British Government allows exports of sulphate of ammonia to Java, Spain, and the United States to a large extent, and reduces the exports to West India and other British Possessions to the smallest possible limits, to the injury of next season's crops?
§ Captain Viscount WOLMER(on behalf of War Trade Department:) My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. It was decided in December last that the issue of licences for the export of sulphate of ammonia should be suspended in order to retain sufficient supplies in this country to meet the demand for agricultural purposes. Any recent exports to the countries named can only have taken place under licences authorised before the date of this decision. The needs of the West Indies are fully recognised, but it is regretted the available supply is insufficient at the present time to allow of export.