§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade in what commodities the Third World has a near-monopoly position.
§ Mr. DeakinsA number of commodities—for example, coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas, natural rubber, jute, sisal and palm oil—are produced largely or exclusively in tropical developing countries. Amongst the minerals of major significance in world trade developing countries provide the major sources for copper and tin; they also account for the greater part of phosphate rock currently entering world trade.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of the total grain supply derives from the Third World.
§ Mr. BuchanI have been asked to reply.
Grain in this sense comprises wheat, rye, barley, oats, maize, mixed grains, sorghum, millet and rice.
The "Third World" has been taken to mean developing countries—that is, other than developed and centrally- 14W planned economies. Following are figures for the last three years:
GRAIN PRODUCTION Million metric tonne Total world production Third World Percentage 1971 1,304.2 366.3 28.1 1972 1,264.3 355.7 28.1 1973 1,365.5 372.8 27.3