§ Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the correspondence between British Galenicals, Limited, and Aluminium Supply; whether he is aware that the firm's request for a supply of aluminium to be used in the manufacture of tubes and containers was met with the reply that if arrangements were made for the British Chemical Manufacturers Association, or other such organisation, to submit the case, it would be reconsidered by the civil uses committee of Aluminium 1163W Supply; what was the reason for expecting a business firm to have its case submitted by some other organisation; whether he is aware that in this case there is no satisfactory economic substitute for aluminium; and whether, in view of the importance of maintaining the home and export trades, he will have the matter further considered?
§ Colonel LlewellinMy right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the correspondence to which the hon. Member refers. The hon. Member will appreciate that aluminium is a vital raw material, supplies of which must be strictly conserved for essential purposes. At the time when this application was first made it might have been possible to release a small quantity of aluminium for dentifrice tubes for which it could be shown that a satisfactory substitute could not be found, and the applicant was accordingly advised to seek the support of an authoritative body on this point. Since then there has been an increase in the demand of the Service Departments, and it is now not possible to licence the use of aluminium for tubes and containers. I understand that this firm have now found it possible to use tin containers.