Mr. W. F. MITCHELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the high prices of high-grade basic slag; whether he can give the reason for the inability to obtain the grade 40 per cent. phosphate so popular before the War; and whether he anticipates any better and larger quantities in the near future?
Mr. GUINNESSThe reason why the supply of high-grade basic slag is now less than before the War is due in part to the smaller production of steel, but more to the fact that the ''Bessemer" process of making steel, which originally resulted in a slag containing about 40 per cent. phosphate, has, since the War, been2030W largely superseded by the "open hearth" process, which gives a slag containing only 10 per cent. to 35 per cent. phosphate. In the circumstances, therefore, I cannot hold out any prospect of the basic slag produced in this country improving in quality or of an increased supply of the higher-grade material. A Departmental Committee has been investigating processes for the enrichment of basic slags, but so far without material result.