HC Deb 19 November 1940 vol 365 c1850W
Mr. Wootton-Davies

asked the Minister of Supply the technical and medicinal purposes for which glycerine may or may not be used?

Mr. Harold Macmillan

The glycerine position is being carefully watched by the Ministry of Supply and steps have been taken to conserve supplies. An investigation of the uses to which glycerine is put has been made and users have been advised as to possible substitutes, for the supply of which some arrangements have been instituted. It is not possible to give a detailed list of the purposes for which glycerine is used; but they fall into three main categories:

  1. (1) For the manufacture of products for Service use and for export, the demands for which are supplied in full;
  2. (2) Other uses of national importance, including technical and medicinal uses, which have been allotted a generous quota, the total amount allowed being approximately two-thirds of the pre-war consumption, and
  3. (3) Uses of lesser importance, where an effort has been made to eliminate the use of glycerine gradually and especially where it has been possible to find substitutes and to make them available.