§ Mr. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade why imports of metalliferous ores and scrap metal from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declined from 126,444 tons in 1954 to 118,826 tons in 1955; and why the import of manganese ore, 10 per cent. or more manganese, from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics declined from 126,170 tons in 1954 to 118,826 tons in 1955.
§ Mr. LowThe imports from the U.S.S.R. of metalliferous ores and scrap metal consist almost entirely of manganese ore. This trade is in private hands and import licences are not required. The imports in 1954 and 1955 were much higher than in 1953, and I think there is no particular significance in the small decline in 1955.