asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the requirement of British industry of fluorspar and the percentage derived currently from indigenous resources.

The requirement of British industry of fluorspar, which is used chiefly in the manufacture of hydrofluoric acid and other fluorine chemicals, as a flux in steelmaking and as an opacifer and flux in the ceramics industry, was approximately 175,000 tonnes in 1977.Over 95 per cent. was derived from indigenous resources.