§ 99. Mr. Stokesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that 14,000 tons of steel are taken weekly by the National Coal Board; and how much is now in the stockpile of the National Coal Board.
§ Mr. LowDeliveries of finished steel to the coal-mining industry during the five weeks ended 3rd December, 1955—the latest date for which figures are available—averaged about 14,000 tons a week. The average weekly rate of delivery during the first eleven months of 1955 was 13,000 tons which was the rate obtaining in 1954. Information about stocks held by nationalised industries, as by privately owned firms, is received on a confidential basis, but I can assure the right hon. Member that the National Coal Board is aware of the importance of keeping its stocks of steel to the minimum necessary for efficient working.