§ Mr. Hollisasked the President of the Board of Trade why Import Licence No. 661308/1, in respect of 100 tons of German natural rock asphalt, was granted on 11th June, 1948, and a prior application made by Mr. E. Collison, of 16, Middle Road, Brighton, No. 548232, of 18th April, 1948, for 50 tons of the same material, was refused on 2nd July, 1948.
30W
§ Mr. H. WilsonThe hon. Member's information is incorrect. The import licence in question, which related to 50 tons of natural rock asphalt, was granted against an application submitted on 6th October, 1947. The subsequent application from Mr. Collinson, dated 19th April, 1948, was in respect of German natural rock asphalt powder. It was not supported by the production departments concerned and a licence was refused. The British Standards Institution specification for rock asphalt requires a minimum bitumen content, with which German deposits of asphalt do not comply. To obviate the possible importation of synthetic asphalt—the powdered rock mixed with bitumen to the required proportion—which is a very inferior product, no import licence has been granted for natural rock asphalt powder from Germany.