POTASH COMPOUNDS (IMPOKTS FROM GERMANY AND ALSACE). (Hansard, 23 February 1920)

§ Sir A. GEDDES

As the answer to this question involves a statistical table I will have a statement circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the table referred to:

The approximate quantities and values of potash compounds imported from Germany and Alsace since the Armistice for agricultural and industrial purposes respectively are shown in the following statement:—

	Quantity.	Value.
Germany—	Tons.	£ c.i.f.
For agricultural use	19,820	323,727
For industrial use	4,301	182,446
Alsace—
For agricultural use^*	37,258	275,476
For industrial use	100	2,250
^* The average potash content of this material is considerably lower than that of the German material.

The ruling prices of potash in Germany according to the Board's present advices are as follows:—

12–15 per cent. potash salts, per hundred kilos, 60 pfennigs per 1 per cent. potash.

20–22 per cent. potash salts, per hundred kilos, 74 pfennigs per 1 per cent. potash.

30 per cent. potash salts, per hundred kilos, 83 pfennigs per 1 per cent. potash.

40–42 per cent. kali magnesia, per hundred kilos, 97 pfennigs per 1 per cent. potash.

80 per cent. muriate, on basis of 60 per cent. K₂O, per hundred kilos, 115 pfennigs per 1 per cent. potash.

Sulphate of potash, per hundred kilos, 152 pfennigs per 1 per cent. potash.

1332W

The sale prices of German potash compounds to English consumers for industrial purposes are as follows:—

(a) Material acquired by British Goverment in Part Payment for Food Stuffs.

Sulphate 90 per cent., £23 2s. 6d. per ton bagged material c.i.f.

Muriate 80 per cent., £20 per ton bagged material c.i.f.

Muriate 90 per cent., £21 10s. per ton bagged on 80 per cent. basis c.i.f.

(b) For Caustic Potash 88–90 per cent. brought in under Arrangements made through the Board of Trade.

The following maximum prices were fixed for material delivered at consumers' works:—

Up to 31st December, 1919, £100 per ton.

From 1st January, 1920, £116 5s. per ton.