§ Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what price 91W is being paid per pound for Ceylon rubber, f.o.b.; who fixed this price; how many tons were exported during 1945; how many tons were taken by the U.S.A.; and what price per pound did they pay for it;
(2) When the year's agreement fixing the price of rubber in Ceylon at Is. 6d. f.o.b. was agreed to; when it was made known to the public; what proportion the U.S. and other Allied Governments have agreed to take; and what will be the total produced.
§ Mr. BelcherAgreement to buy the Ceylon rubber output at Is. 7¼ d. a lb. was made in March, 1945, between the United Kingdom and Ceylon Governments and was publicly announced early in April. The agreement was originally for one year but before the end of hostilities with Japan the period was extended to September, 1946. Below are particulars of output in 1945 and its distribution. Particulars of output and distribution for later periods are not yet available. The shipments made to the U.S. in 1945 were on reciprocal aid.
Total production in 1945 was about 96,000 tons and with stocks there were available about 100,000 tons for distribution. These were shipped as follows:
Tons To U.S.A 66,604 U.K 8,534 U.S.S.R 16,842 Australia 6,573 New Zealand 501 South Africa 905
§ Sir B. Neven-Spenceasked the President of the Board of Trade what price per pound of rubber is being paid to producers in Malaya and Burma.; who fixed this price; what estimate has been formed of the tonnage likely to be produced during 1946, respectively, from small holdings and from estates of over 100 acres owned by individuals and companies; how much of the estimated total tonnage will be taken by the U.S.A.; and what price the U.S.A. will pay for it per pound f.o.b.
§ Mr. BelcherThe price which is at present being paid is rod. per lb. for standard sheet, and was fixed by the United Kingdom Government with the advice of expert representatives on the spot. The best estimate that can be made at present is that 175,000 tons of new92W production may be forthcoming from Malaya and 3,000 tons from Burma in 1946, but this estimate is tentative, and it would be premature to attempt to divide it between small holdings and estates. Nearly 30,000 tons of Malayan rubber are being supplied to the U.S. during the first quarter of 1946, taken almost wholly from stocks, and the price is 20¼ U.S. cents or approximately Is. a lb. f.o.b. There is no commitment to the U.S.A. beyond the 31st March.
Major G Ltoydasked the President of the Board of Trade whether rubber now being produced on estates in Malaya and Burma and by natives, is being kept separate from that found in the territory on its reoccupation; and what total tonnage of rubber was found- on arrival and has since been discovered to have been in the territory.
§ Mr. BelcherStocks of rubber taken over by the local Custodian of Enemy Property are being accounted for separately from rubber since coming forward from natives or estate holders, but it is not possible to say how far the latter represents new output and how far rubber hidden away during the occupation. The quantity of rubber taken over by the Custodian was about 50,000 tons and that since purchased about 30,000 tons.