§ 77. Mr. Bottomleyasked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, why, in the first six months of 1952, there was a reduction in the consumption of cotton, sulphur, rubber and softwood, compared with the last six months of 1951.
§ Mr. MackesonOver a fairly wide range of industries there has been a fall in the intake and consumption of raw materials since the beginning of 1952. This has been due principally to some recission of demand for finished products and to the postponement of purchases of materials in a period of falling prices. The first reason applies particularly to cotton and sulphur; the second has especially affected the other materials to which the right hon. Member has referred. In the case of sulphur there have also been marked economies in use and progress in the development of substitutes.