§ Mr. Wilkesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet reached a decision regarding the inadequate allocation of urea and butyl alcohol to British Paints, Ltd., and the present allocation of phenol and cresol to the Bladon factory of this firm; and whether he is aware that this matter has been under consideration by his Department since September, 1946, and that a decision was last promised in a letter dated 1st September, 1947.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI am aware that the question of the raw material requirements of British Paints, Limited, has been frequently reviewed by my Department since September, 1946, but I regret that in the absence of any material improvement in the supply position of urea and butyl alcohol, it has not been possible to allocate more than small additional supplies to them. I understand from my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Fuel and Power, that the position regarding phenol and cresol is similar. British Paints, Limited, have been advised to get into touch with suppliers of cresol and have been offered the co-operation of the By-Products Branch of the Ministry of Fuel and Power. Allocation of cresol is impracticable in view of the large number and type of specifications of the varying requirements. There are no cresols available in this country, but this firm has been given a licence to import a substantial part of their requirements of phenol over the next six months.