HC Deb 01 March 1954 vol 524 c67W
1. Mr. Philip Bell

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to maintain a strategic stock of Group II cottons in addition to the stocks held by the trade.

Mr. Amory

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on 22nd February.

2. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, if he is aware that the rubber industry is passing through a slump period; that the price of rubber is low; and if he will take steps to build up a stockpile of this material now that it is cheap and at the same time help the industry in Malaya.

Mr. Amory

My noble Friend is aware that the present price of natural rubber is low in relation to prices in recent years, though still above the level prevailing for some time before the Korean war.

Her Majesty's Government have for some time held strategic stocks of natural rubber which it is their policy to maintain. The size of the stock is, however, determined by strategic considerations.