Earl of Dalkeithasked the Minister of Technology how many tons of nickel are normally held in reserve stocks to meet difficult supply situations; and how many tons are held at present.
§ Mr. BennThe only stock of nickel held by my Department is that mentioned in the written reply to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) on 22nd October, 1969. At that date the stock totalled 1.396 tons. A quantity of this is now being released to meet priority defence needs. I would also refer the noble Lord to a reply which I am giving today to the hon. Member for Blackpool, South.—[Vol. 788, c. 284.]
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§ Mr. Blakerasked the Minister of Technology what stocks of nickel are currently held at the disposal of Her Majesty's Government, apart from the strategic stocks amounting to 1,396 tons; and what was the amount of such other stocks in 1964.
§ Mr. Benn,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th November, 1969; Vol. 791, c. 109]: I assume that the hon. Member does not refer to the small operating stocks of the Royal Mint used for coinage, which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Other than these, and the strategic stocks referred to in the Question, Her Majesty's Government hold no stocks of nickel and did not hold any in 1964.