asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United Kingdom is the only first-class industrial country in which no calcium carbide is being produced, although it has been officially stated that it is indispensable for national Defence purposes and that, in the event of war, our imports would need to be doubled; and what action, in addition to the accumulation of stocks, His Majesty's Government are taking to secure that this deficiency in our industrial organisation is remedied at an early date?

I am aware that calcium carbide is manufactured in the chief industrial countries, but I am not aware of the authority for the statement that in time of war our imports would need to be doubled. I would welcome any well-considered plan for the production of calcium carbide in the United Kingdom. I do not feel, however, that there is sufficient case for any Government loan or guarantee for this purpose, though if a project were started in one of the Special Areas, it would be open for the promoters to apply for assistance of a kind that can be given under the Special Areas Acts.

With regard to the authority, I will bring to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman the statement of one of his colleagues. But does he not think that at this stage, and in view of the danger of our situation, the Government might take rather more definite steps to get a vital industry of this kind going than he indicated in his reply?

The Government were anxious that under the Bill which was before the House a calcium carbide industry should be established in this country, and it is a great pity that the hon. Member did not see his way to support that Bill. In regard to this matter two questions arise. If Government money is to be diverted to this purpose it must be diverted from some other equally important subject.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider whether there is not an alternative open to the Government which would secure a much more rapid production than the particular scheme which was rejected would have given; and does he really mean that because the House of Commons rejected one of the many alternatives, and not the best alternative, the Government are content now to hold their hand?

If the hon. Member has any alternative to put before me I shall be only too glad to consider it. I have had discussions with several interests who have different schemes, and in every case I have promised them all the help I can possibly give.

Is it not a fact that several alternatives were put before the Government by different hon. Members, and is it not the case that because the Government could not get their own way they would not adopt any of the alternatives?

I am prepared to deal with any practical proposal that is put up to me. I have been discussing several alternatives in recent months.

The right hon. Gentleman suggested in his reply that the Government have a plan for producing calcium carbide in this country, but is it not the case that when the matter was discussed in the House, the Government refused to take any side in the matter or to put down any definite scheme?

At least I voted for it, and the hon. Gentleman who asked the question did not vote.