§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade what proportion of United Kingdom requirements of phosphate rock was imported from the Office Chérifien des Phosphates in 1974 and 1975; what were the average prices ruling in early 1973 and 1976; and what is the trend and the average P.O. content of the ores.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI have been asked to reply.
In 1974, 75 per cent. of United Kingdom imports of phosphate rock were imported from Office Chérifien des Phosphates (Morocco); in the 11 months ended November 1975 the figure was 74 per cent. The average price of Moroccan phosphate rock has moved from $20 per tonne delivered in early 1973 to about $68 per tonne delivered currently. The trend in the quality of imported rock is slowly downwards.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade, of the phosphate rock imported into the United Kingdom in 1974 and 1975, what percentage of the total was earmarked for (a) fertilisers (b) detergents and (c) other specified uses.
386W
§ Mr. CarmichaelI have been asked to reply.
It is estimated that between 75 and 80 per cent. of phosphate rock imported into the United Kingdom is used for fertiliser manufacture. Figures for other industries are not available.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether there are phosphate rock deposits in any of the EEC countries; and what proportion of world trade in phosphate rock is covered by the EEC States.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI have been asked to reply.
Both France and West Germany have small deposits of phosphate rock; combined output in 1974 totalled 0.1 per cent. of total world production. In 1974, EEC countries accounted for 34 per cent. of world imports in volume terms. There were no exports from EEC countries.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade in what parts of the Commonwealth there are significant quantities of phosphate rock available.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI have been asked to reply.
Substantial deposits of phosphate rock exist in Australia. That country plans by mid-1976 to produce some 1 million tonnes of rock from the new mines now operating in Queensland.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade of the total quantity of fertilisers used in the United Kingdom at the latest convenient date, what is the percentage employing phosphate rock, ammonia and other materials, respectively.
§ Mr. CarmichaelI have been asked to reply.
Figures showing the percentage of phosphate rock, ammonia and other materials used in fertiliser manufacture, are not available.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the tonnage of phosphoric acid produced in the United Kingdom, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, and Italy in 1974 and 1975.
387W
§ Mr. CarmichaelI have been asked to reply.
Statistics for the years in question are not available.