§ Mr. H. Priceasked the President of the Board of Trade what schemes have been submitted to his Department during the past four years for the production of sulphur from indigenous calcium sulphate deposits and imported iron pyrites, respectively; which of these schemes were approved and which disapproved; and why.
§ Sir H. ShawcrossThe possibility of extracting crude sulphur from pyrites was examined by the Board of Trade in 1948, but it was found that the economic use of both pyrites and calcium sulphate is not for the purpose of extracting sulphur but as a substitute for sulphur in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. Plants have been in operation for this purpose for some time, and during the past two years every effort has been made to increase their capacity. No schemes have been submitted to the Board of Trade for the production of pure sulphur from either calcium sulphate or pyrites.
Mr. Baker Whiteasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when the allocation of available supplies of sulphur is made, he will take into full consideration the needs of agriculture from the point of view of sulphuric acid, the manufacture of superphosphates, the use of sulphur as a basis for almost all horticultural sprays and insecticides and its use in the proper drying of hops.
§ Sir H. ShawcrossWhen the allocations of sulphur and sulphuric acid are being considered, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is consulted about any uses of these materials in which he may be interested, including those to which the hon. Member refers. The advice which he gives is, of course, taken into account.