HC Deb 17 January 1979 vol 960 cc809-10W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what are the main sources of supply of titanium by percentage; what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;

  1. (2) what are the main sources of supply of zinc, by percentage or tonnage; what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;
  2. (3) what are the main sources of supply of nickel, by percentage or tonnage; what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;
  3. (4) what are the main sources of supply of manganese, by percentage or tonnage; what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;
  4. (5) what are the main sources of supply of vanadium, by percentage or tonnage; what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;
  5. (6) what are the main sources of supply of chrome, by percentage or by tonnage; what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;
  6. (7) what are the main sources of supply of platinum, by percentage or tonnage; 810 what steps are being taken to diversify sources of supply; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained;
  7. (8) what are the main sources of supply, by percentage, of antimony; what steps are being taken to diversify supplies; and if any strategic stockpile of this material is maintained.

Mr. Les Huckfield:

A precise statistical breakdown of United Kingdom raw materials imports in the form requested is not available. Imports comprise numerous different forms, ranging from ores to refined metals, and the various quantities cannot simply be aggregated. Allowing for such factors the approximate pattern of imports directly from the major suppliers of raw and processed materials is estimated to have been as follows in 1977:

  • Titanium—Australia 35–40%; USA 10–15%; Germany (FR) 10–15%.
  • Zinc—Canada 20–25%; Netherlands 15–20%; Republic of Ireland 5–10%; Finland 5–10%; Peru 5–10%; Norway 5-10%; Germany (FR) 5–10%.
  • Nickel—Canada 75–80%: Australia 5–10%.
  • Manganese—South Africa 30–35%; Norway 30–35%; Ghana 5–10%.
  • Vanadium—Finland 30–35%; Austria 30–35%; South Africa 10–15%; Germany (FR) 10–15%.
  • Chromium—South Africa 40–50%; Sweden 20–25%; Philippines 5–10%.
  • Platinum Group—South Africa 50–55%; Canada 25–30%.
  • Antimony—South Africa 75–80%.

Responsibility for procurement and stockpiling of raw materials lies in the first instance with industrial users. There is, however, continuing and frequent contact between industry and Government on the supply situation, including the need for diversification.

The Department of Industry does not hold strategic stockpiles of raw materials. I understand that the Ministry of Defence does hold minor quantities of certain materials, but for commercial reasons information on the current level of stocks is not published.