HC Deb 10 March 1948 vol 448 c141W
4. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what capacity for the production of stainless steel has been left in Germany under the level of industry plan; and which factories used for this purpose have been declared redundant.

Mr. Bevin

The capacity of the electric furnaces which are to be retained in the bizonal area and which are capable of producing stainless steel is approximately 320,000 tons a year. I regret that I cannot give figures for the French and Soviet zones. Of the steel works in the bizonal area which are to be declared available for reparations only Krupp's of Essen and Deutsche Edelstahlwerke of Krefeld were important producers of stainless steel. All existing capacity for finishing stainless steel will be retained; the cold rolling mills and finishing equipment for stainless steel sheets at the two works I have mentioned will be transferred to other plants which are to be retained.