§ Major EDMONDSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the importation of North African phosphate is being largely assisted by the greatly reduced exchange value of the franc, and that to meet this competition American phosphate is being imported without profit or at a loss, he will state what steps he proposes to take to increase the supply of phosphates from British Dominions to this country?
§ Mr. BUXTONI have been asked to reply. It has always been the aim of the Ministry to secure that adequate supplies of phosphates are available for British farmers. The high freight on phosphates coming from Nauru (to which presumably the hon. and gallant Member refers) makes it impossible for supplies from that island to compete with the abundant and cheap supplies which are at present available from sources more favourably situated nearer home.