§ 100. Major Bevinsasked the Minister of Works what quantity of cement it is proposed to import from European countries during 1950.
§ Mr. StokesI am unable to state how much cement will be imported during 1950 since this depends upon the actions of private firms and there is no restriction upon the amount that can be brought in except from certain areas where there are currency difficulties. I am aware of arrangements that have been made to import some 60,000 tons between the latter part of May and the end of June.
§ 101. Major Bevinsasked the Minister of Works what quantity of cement was exported to markets other than dollar markets, and markets which would have drawn on dollar markets during the first three months of 1950; and what is the estimated quantity for the full year.
§ Mr. StokesA relatively small amount of cement earns dollars directly. The bulk of exports goes to sterling area customers who would otherwise have to spend dollars or other hard currencies; there is no means of telling what the proportion of dollars would be. During the first three months of 1950, 4,754 tons were exported which neither earned nor saved dollars or hard currency. The figure for the whole year may be about 20,000 tons.