Mr. N. Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, seeing that the British Commonwealth will be able to supply only £150,000,000 of our estimated requirements of £350,000,000 of imported raw materials in 1946, he is taking steps to increase supplies from the British Commonwealth;
(2) whether, seeing that the sterling area will be able to supply only £130,000,000 of our estimated requirements of £350,000,000 of imported raw materials in 1946, he is taking steps to increase supplies from the sterling area.
§ Sir S. CrippsA number of factors have to be taken into account as affecting the origin of imported raw materials. A full survey of all available sources of supply is being made before decisions are taken.