Mr. GeoffreyFinsberg asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will arrange for the Central Policy Review Staff to institute urgent research into the early manufacture of synthetic products to reduce dependence upon scarce and expensive imported raw materials.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineMy Department reviews continuously the need for action to encourage the substitution of scarce and expensive imported materials by other products. These reviews take account of the need to maintain adequate performance from the products and the economics of providing alternative materials. It is necessary to examine individual cases with some care since in some instances the replacement of a natural material with a synthetic material involves greater consumption of energy resources or simply replaces one imported466W was the value of United Kingdom imports from and exports to Canada in 1953 and 1972; and what proportion of the United Kingdom's world trade these figures represented.
§ Sir G. HoweFollowing is the information:
raw material by another. Where appropriate my Department participates with the Central Policy Review Staff in studies of this type and I do not think any additional action by that body is at present necessary.