§ Sir J. Mellorasked the President of the Board of Trade at what average price existing stocks of natural rubber were acquired by the Government; what arrangements have been made for disposal of this rubber; and to whom and at what price
§ Sir S. CrippsThe average purchase price of Government stocks of natural rubber in the United Kingdom at the end of September was approximately 1s. 2d. per lb. f.o.b country of origin for No. 1 sheet. No arrangements have been made to liquidate these stocks but certain quantities are being sold to consumers in the United Kingdom at 1s 4d. per lb. delivered to works and to other countries at 1s 4d. per lb. f.o.b. Under the recent agreement between the Board of Trade and the Rubber Development Corporation of U.S.A., some part of this stock may be sold to the U.S.A before the end of the year at the price of 22¼ cents per lb. c.i.f. U.S Atlantic port.