73. Mr. Robertsonasked the President of the Board of Trade when it will be possible to make available a supply of manila rope for the fishing industry.
§ Mr. RhodesAdditional supplies of manila were recently authorised for use by the home fishing industry, and I am advised by the manufacturers that full-scale production of the rope to be manufactured from these supplies should start in July. I understand that some small supplies should be available earlier. The use of manila by the home fishing industry was previously limited to a few types of rope for which sisal cannot be substituted, but the new arrangements will permit of much more general use.
74. Mr. Robertsonasked the President of the Board of Trade the current comparative prices of sisal, manila and nylon rope available, or likely soon to become available, for use in the fishing industry.
§ Mr. RhodesThe present maximum prices approved by the Central Price Regulation Committee for sisal and manila rope are £204 5s. per ton for standard 3 in. white sisal rope, £250 per ton for high grade standard 3 in. manila rope and £234 per ton for superior special standard 3 in. white manila rope. I am, as yet, unable to say what the price of manila rope of the quality to be made in the future for use in the fishing industry will be, as this depends upon specification and the prices of the particular grades of manila involved. I understand that the price of nylon ropes approximates £1,876 per ton. The quantity available is strictly limited by the present shortage of raw material.