§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what is the approximate annual consumption of titanium by the United Kingdom aerospace and defence industries;
(2) if he will list the main sources of supply of titanium to the United Kingdom showing the percentage by volume imported from each source.
§ Mr. David MitchellI will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what industrial stockpile of titanium is maintained in the United Kingdom;
(2) what discussions have been held with other EEC countries about maintaining an industrial stockpile of titanium to insure against interruption of supplies.
§ Mr. David MitchellStocks of British titanium are being built up to meet the requirements of the companies concerned. There have been discussions with other Community countries about the future supply and demand for titanium at both Government and industry level.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will negotiate a long-term contract with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for a supply of titanium sufficient to meet the needs of the United Kingdom aerospace industry.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will instruct the National Enterprise Board to withdraw from the joint venture to produce titanium and leave this entirely to private industry.
§ Mr. Michael MarshallNo, but my right hon. Friend has made it clear to the NEB that he expects it to seek further injections of private capital with a view to the fullest private sector involvement at the earliest opportunity.