§ Mr. FELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any reason for the increase in the amount of steel in the form of ingots, blooms, billets, slabs, sheet bars, and tinplate bars imported into this country during the first four months of this year; and if he has any official information showing that such steel is being dumped here in consequence of over-production in Germany?
§ Mr. TENNANTI understand that the imported steel is being offered to consumers in this country at lower prices than those charged by British steel makers, but it is not possible to say definitely how far this phenomenon is due to temporary overproduction abroad, and how far to lowered cost of production arising from improved equipment. As between this year and last the increase in the imports from Germany, though considerable, has not been nearly so great as the increase in the imports from the United States of America.
§ Mr. FELLMay I ask if there have been any reports received by the Board of Trade from South Wales as to how this is affecting the steel industry there?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo, Sir, we have received no reports.