§ 31. Colonel Clarkeasked the President of the Board of Trade what effect the reduction in the supply of fuel to the alkali factories of Imperial Chemical Industries, in the North-West region, has had on the export trade in alkalis and on the price to the home consumer.
§ Mr. Belcher:Production of alkali was curtailed towards the end of January owing to insufficiency of coal supplies, and exports during February and March fell below programme by about 34,000 tons. I am informed that, as from 1st April, Imperial Chemical Industries have withdrawn certain price concessions to home consumers who purchase on contract terms, the effect being to increase the cost to such consumers by about 5 per cent.