§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the current position of cobalt imports, in the light of the recent sharp increase in import prices; and if he will inquire particularly into the effects upon the recent efforts by important world producers to co-ordinate their price policies.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:Official trade statistics suggest there has been little change in the rate of imports this year as compared to last. My Department, however, maintains close contact with United
Type 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 Totals Orbit and globe … 66 85 74 75 55 355 Muscle of eyeball … 488 286 121 263 240 1,398 Eyelids … 81 116 58 128 99 482 Conjunctiva … 16 27 20 20 27 110 Cornea … 111 113 104 100 97 525 Iris and ciliary body … 37 423 310 274 296 1,675 Sclera, choroid, retina vitreous. … 272 423 337 361 304 1,697 Lens (including cataract) … 935 818 532 813 747 3,845 Lacrimal apparatus … 87 90 61 94 87 419 Others … 141 205 131 146 118 741 Totals … 2,569 2,586 1,748 2,274 2,070 11,247
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the reasons for the reduction in the level of service in the casualty 696W Kingdom users of cobalt and is aware of the effects of the sharp price increases this year by leading world producers of cobalt. Urgent consideration is being given to this problem in conjunction with the industry in order to improve the supply situation.