§ 47. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will set up in his Department a strategic intelligence unit to monitor trade in industrial raw materials, advise on any threats to supply and negotiate, as appropriate, long-term bulk contracts with producer countries.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:My Department already keeps a close watch on matters affecting the security of supplies of essential raw materials. Responsibility for procurement lies in the first instance with industrial users, but there is continuing and frequent contact between industry and Government on the supply situation, including the conditions necessary for the successful negotiation of long-term contracts with producers.