§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what steps the Government took to discuss the suspension of the import of fermentation ethyl alcohol with the industrial alcohol industry prior to the decision;
(2) whether J. M. Mills (Industrial Alcohols) Ltd., in Liverpool was advised or consulted about his Department's request to the French alcohol monopole to 65W suspend the export of fermentation ethyl alcohol to the United Kingdom;
(3) if he will make a statement about his request to the French alcohol monopole to suspend the export of fermentation ethyl alcohol to the United Kingdom;
(4) if he will award compensation to those British companies which as a result of the suspension of the import of fermentation ethyl alcohol to the United Kingdom will be in breach of contracts to supply the same.
(5) on what basis he requested the French alcohol monopole to suspend the export of fermentation ethyl alcohol to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. CryerMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade has made no decisions as to the suspension of the import of fermentation ethyl alcohol from France, nor has any general request been made to the Services des Alcools in France that they suspend the export of such alcohol to the United Kingdom. At the request of my Department, however, approaches were recently made to the Services des Alcools about their future ex-export intentions. These approaches have resulted in a temporary suspension by the French Government of the export of both synthetic and fermentation alcohol pending further discussions between the Services des Alcools and my Department. The company of J. M. Mills (Industrial Alcohols) Limited, together with other United Kingdom importers and producers will be kept advised of the progress of these discussions.