§ 120. Mr. D. Marshallasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 62,000 metric tons of potash fertiliser have been exported from the British zone in Germany up to 1st July, 1946, and that only 17,000 tons were sent to the United Kingdom; and, as this potash is in short supply in England and urgently required here in the interest of agriculture, if he will endeavour to obtain a higher proportion of the available export.
§ 136. Mr. Dribergasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that fruit-growers and other agriculturalists in this country are in urgent need of potash fertiliser; and if he will endeavour to secure a larger percentage than hitherto of the supplies of it available for export from the British zone of Germany.
§ Sir S. CrippsWorld supplies of fertilisers during the year ended 30th June, 1946, were allocated among consuming countries by the Combined Food Board in Washington, and supplies for the current season have been allocated by the International Emergency Food Council. Under this latter allocation, all potash produced in the British zone of Germany will be retained for use within the zone, but the United Kingdom will be entitled to obtain from other sources a quantity sufficient to cover its estimated requirements. Every effort will of course be made to do so.
§ Mr. C. Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade what amounts of potash he expects will be imported for agricultural use from the British zone of Germany between now and the end of the year; and whether this will be sufficient to meet demands.
§ Sir S. CrippsI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to similar questions on this matter.