§ 125. Mr. A. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade why titanium oxide and tri-cresyl phosphate, which are re quired for the production of coloured polyvinyl chloride, are being exported on 298W instructions from his Department to such an extent that the manufacturers of polyvinyl chloride have now no stocks available for supplying this commodity to manufacturers of extruded products using polyvinyl chloride in this country; and if he is aware that, in consequence of this, the production of the completed articles has been stopped or seriously hindered.
§ Sir S. CrippsExports of titanium oxide have been permitted to an extent agreed with the manufacturers in order to meet the needs of Empire countries. No arrangement has been made by my Department as to the level of exports of tri-cresyl phosphate. Inquiries are being made regarding the supply of these materials to manufacturers of coloured polyvinyl chloride and the effect of any shortage on the output of extruded products. I will arrange for the result of those inquiries to be communicated to my hon. Friend.