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48. The shortage of natural sulphur stems from the imposition by the United States of export controls designed to safeguard its diminishing sulphur reserves. In the first quarter of 1951 the United Kingdom received an alloca- tion of just over 80,000 tons; against this, requirements were estimated at 112,000 tons, after allowing for a saving of some 50,000 tons a year as a result of a cut in super-phosphate production of about 300,000 tons a year imposed in 1950. The allocation represents a reduction in supplies of 28 per cent. as compared with 1950, and a severe system of rationing has con- sequently had to be introduced. As a temporary measure, supplies to most users of sulphur as such have been cut by 30 per cent. of their consumption during the period from April to August last year, and to most users of sulphuric acid made from sulphur by 33 per cent. The reduction of supplies of regular sulphur for the manufacture of carbon bisulphide (mainly used for rayon) and for the rubber industry was confined to 15 per cent. If additional sulphur is not forthcoming, it will be necessary to introduce a more detailed system of rationing.
49. Additional plant for the production of sulphuric acid from materials other than imported sulphur and for extending the recovery of by-product sulphur has been under construction for some time. These projects and fresh schemes are being given a very high degree of priority, but they cannot be expected to yield large amounts for at least two years.
50. Several of the non-ferrous metals are scarce at the present time, but the most serious shortage among the major metals is that of zinc. This is particularly unfortunate in that zinc is one of the most versatile of metals and has played a big part in the recent rapid increases in the productivity of the engineering industries, especially through the development of the techniques of die-casting. In 1950 the United Kingdom consumed 240,000 tons of zinc. Of this, 137,000 tons were imported as metal from Australia, Canada, Norway, Belgium and the United States, and in addition 70,000 tons were produced at home from imported concentrates; the balance was met by calling on stocks. As far as can be seen at present, supplies in 1951 will fall con- siderably below last year's level. This has made it necessary to introduce detailed control. In the last quarter of 1950 supplies to all consumers were reduced to 75 per cent. of their 1949 consumption, and on 1st January, 1951, more detailed allocations were made, ranging from 50 per cent. of the rate of consumption in the first nine months of 1950 for galvanising to 80 per cent. for die-casting. The average allocation was 65 per cent. From 1st March, 1951, the use of zinc (as well as of copper and alloys of these metals) in the manufacture of many "inessential" products has been prohibited altogether. 51. Copper, also now scarce, is one of the basic metals of the general engineering industry. It has a very wide range of uses proper to itself, of which the most important are in the making of electrical wires and cables, and many more when mixed with zinc to make brass. During 1950 the United Kingdom consumed some 330,000 tons and imported some 295,000 tons, mainly from Northern Rhodesia, but also from Canada, the United States and the Belgian Congo. The deficit was met from stocks. It may not be possible in 1951 to obtain as much copper abroad as in 1950, and we can no longer afford to run down stocks. In this case too, therefore, it has been necessary to introduce a system of rationing, and at the present time con- sumers are receiving allocations 15 per cent. below their rate of consumption in the first half of 1950.
52. Many other raw materials are causing difficulty. American cotton is very scarce owing to poor crops and the statutory reduction of cotton acreage in the United States last season. Consumers in the United Kingdom have had their supplies of this growth reduced to 50 per cent. of their 1949-50 consumption and are substituting other growths as far as practicable. A related scarcity, also very serious, is that of cotton linters, which are used in industries as diverse as rayon, plastics and surgical dressings.
53. Supplies of aluminium, nickel, wool and softwood are also scarce. Restrictions have been placed on the consumption of all of these except wool, and with the growth of defence requirements the position may deteriorate further. A long-term contract for aluminium has been negotiated with Canadian producers which will secure an additional 50,000 tons of metal in the second half of 1951 (making 200,000 tons for the year as a whole) and ensure an annual supply of 220,000 tons in 1952 and 1953. For softwood too contracts have been placed both by private importers and the Government which should lead to steady improvement in future.
54. The world scarcity of raw materials is having, or threatening to have, serious consequences, not only for ourselves, but also for all other industrial countries. While domestic action may mitigate the worst effects of individual shortages, satisfactory remedies can in many cases only be found by inter- national action. The United Kingcom has been in the forefront in seeking solutions to these problems. The Prime Minister discussed them with President Trumangduring his visit to the United States in DecembePlasteve, of 587 and as a result of these and other discussions the United Kingdom, the United States and France joined in establishing the International Materials Conference.!
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