§ 54. Mr. Donnellyasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, by how much there has been a variation in the country's stocks since 1st November, 1951, in timber, tobacco, cotton, wool, sulphur and non-ferrous metals; and by how much he expects the existing financial policy to affect these stocks by the end of 1952, as compared with the end of 1951.
§ Mr. MackesonThe answer to the first part of the Question, involving a table of figures, is given in the following table.
As regards the second part, the hon. Member will be aware that it is not the practice to disclose forward estimates relating to the stocks of individual commodities, but commercial stocks of raw materials generally should be adequate to support the expected level of consumption.
my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Profumo) on 10th June, imports of fondant from foreign countries during the whole of 1951 were estimated at about £8 million. I should add that I do not anticipate that the licences which have been and will be issued during 1952 for imports of fondant from these sources will total more than £2 million.