§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Malagasy Republic about the development of that country's chrome ore resources.
§ Mr. VarleyI have been asked to reply.
The Government have had no discussions with the Malagasy Republic about 536W chrome ore, but the British Steel Corporation is aware of that country's deposits. Because of its high grade, the ore is not considered suitable for the production of the relatively inexpensive charge chrome needed for BSC's stainless steel expansion programme.