HC Deb 28 June 1976 vol 914 c9W
20. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what assistance his Department will make from public funds for the coming 12 months for research into substitutes for sperm oil.

Mr. Les Huckfield

I will consider the need for further expenditure on such research when I have received the report already commissioned from the British Leather Manufacturers' Research Association.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will itemise the research that has been carried out by his Department or with assistance from public funds into substitutes for sperm oil in the leather, lubricating, cutting and quenching oil industries since 15th March 1973.

Mr. Alan Williams

My Department piaced a contract last year with the British Leather Manufacturers' Research Association for a study into the utilisation of sperm oil by the leather industry and the evaluation of available alternatives. I hope that it will be possible to publish the report by the end of July.