Mr. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Supply what is the nickel content of forks and spoons now being ordered for the Service Departments; and how this compares with the nickel content of forks and spoons manufactured for export.
170W
§ Mr. G. R. StraussForks and spoons ordered by the Ministry of Supply for the War Office and Air Ministry have had a 20 per cent. nickel content in unplated nickel silver and 15 per cent. in plated nickel silver, but no further orders are being placed to specifications involving the use of nickel. Those ordered by the Admiralty in plated nickel silver have a 15 per cent. nickel content. I am informed by my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade that the nickel content of plated forks and spoons manufactured for export is usually between 12 and 14 per cent. by weight of metal and of unplated between 15 and 30 per cent.