§ Colonel Ponsonbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who controls the Magadi soda deposits in Kenya; what is the present annual output; and, with a view to relieving the shortage of sodium carbonate in this country, whether this production can be increased.
Mr. Creech JonesThe Magadi soda deposits are worked by the Magadi Soda Company Limited, a subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, under lease from the Kenya Government, The present annual output is between 70,000 and 80,000 tons; and I understand that the Company is doing its best by the renewal of plant to increase production to a maximum of 90,000 to 100,000 tons.