asked the Lord Privy Seal what tonnage of sulphur over and above the United States allocation has been acquired by his Department to the latest available date.

There have been no imports of sulphur on Government account this year other than from the U.S.A. All other purchases in the first six months of the year were on private account.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say how he reconciles statements of Government spokesmen that there are no conditions attached to the American allocation and that buyers can go anywhere for sulphur with a letter that went from a Department of the Board of Trade in May stating that the Government were not interested in sulphur from Italy because it would probably be offset against the allocation from America?

I have seen the letter. Offers from Italy were not pursued further at that time when it was clear towards the end of May that any such imports would be taken into account in the international allocation for the third quarter of this year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much of the sulphur from Italy has been brought here by air?

Not without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a grave shortage of sulphur, and immediate acute shortage in West Cornwall, and can he do anything to help us there?

While I am aware of the sulphur situation, the allocations have been as good as we expected for the early months of this year, and every possible step is being taken to increase them at the earliest possible date.

Is the situation then that we cannot get sulphur from anywhere else without it being taken into account in the United States allocation?

Yes, by and large.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that a Ministerial spokesman of the Government —in the Board of Trade—made a statement which is entirely in conflict with the statement made by the right hon. Gentleman himself today?

I will have a look at it.