HC Deb 19 August 1909 vol 9 cc1518-9
Mr. GOULDING

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any Austrian tool steel has been or is to be ordered by the Admiralty for use; and whether, having regard to the fact that more than one in eight of the men engaged in the engineering industries are, according to the returns of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, out of work at the present time, he will arrange for the supply of all tool steel required for the Admiralty by Sheffield firms?

Mr. McKENNA

Inquiries were made of the officers at the West India Docks for 2½ cwt. of Austrian steel that had been demanded by a naval yard abroad. This small quantity will not be ordered, as suitable steel can be supplied under existing contracts.

Mr. GOULDING

Has no Austrian steel from Styria been imported during this year for use in the dockyards at Devonport, Portsmouth, or Chatham?

Mr. McKENNA

I do not think that question, interesting as it is, arises out of the question on the Paper. If the hon. Member will give notice I will ask.

Mr. GOULDING

The question was whether any Austrian tool steel has been or is to be ordered by the Admiralty? Surely my question arises out of that.

Mr. McKENNA

I assumed, when the hon. Gentleman put the question, he meant with regard to the present time. I will inquire whether any has been ordered this year.

Mr. G. N. BARNES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the members of this society use and do not make the steel in question, and further that the exports of engineering products have increased by 50 per cent, since 1900?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, that statement I know to be accurate. I did not enter into the further points raised by my hon. Friend inasmuch as we are not in fact importing any of this steel at the present moment.

Mr. W. THORNE

Have the Government considered the advisability of starting steel works of their own with a view to putting an end to this quarrel between Fair Traders and Free Traders?

Mr. HAROLD COX

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that the best possible steel is got for the British Admiralty wherever it comes from?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes.