§ 95. Sir I. Fraserasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will make a statement about the stocks of non-ferrous metals and sulphur held in this country at the beginning of this month; and the supply prospects for the new year.
§ Mr. HopkinsonProvisional figures for United Kingdom stocks in the country at the beginning of this month of sulphur and of the principal non-ferrous metals for which figures are published are as follows:
Tons. Sulphur 108,900 Virgin copper 122,800 Refined lead 45,000 Virgin zinc 35,700 Zinc concentrates 64,000 Virgin tin (exclusive of producers' and Government stocks) 1,800 Sulphur, copper and zinc are at present subject to International Materials Conference allocations and our future supplies will be affected by Conference decisions. World supplies of lead are improving and it is expected that in 1952, the requirements of British industry will be met. Supplies of tin for the United Kingdom should present no serious problems.