§ 50. Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of Materials what policy he proposes to pursue regarding the liquidation of stockpiles of strategic raw materials which will no longer be required when the Korean war ends; to what extent stockpiling will continue; and what discussions he has had with the United States Government on these problems.
§ Sir A. SalterThe stockpile of strategic raw materials would not be liquidated as a result of a termination of the Korean war. It is an essential part of our defence structure and must continue. As regards stability of raw material prices, as I informed my hon. Friend on 11th March, we are in constant touch with the United States Administration. I have no reason to expect the kind of action by the United States Government he seems to fear, against which both the relevant United States law and United States policy afford safeguards.