§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Undersecretary of State for War what is the current price per ton of acetone now paid by the Government for the manufacture of cordite; how it compares with the price paid by the Government two years ago; from what countries is such acetone being obtained, and what proportion of it, if any, comes from Germany; and whether there is at present in this country the full normal supply of this indispensable war requisite?
§ Mr. TENNANTPrices are higher than they were two years ago, but, as tender prices are confidential, I regret that I am2028W unable to give particulars. Supplies are mainly obtained from the United Kingdom and the American Continent, and none happens to have been recently obtained from Germany. The authorised reserves are complete except for a small quantity delayed in delivery through the coal strike.