§ 33. Colonel Sir CHARLES SEELYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether a monopoly in the sale of steel in France has been granted to the Comité des Forges; if so, whether his attention has been drawn to the effect of this monopoly on English merchants engaged in this trade; and what steps he proposes to take to protect their interests?
Mr. BALFOURMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question.
2363 The French Government appointed the body referred to by the right hon. Member to act as a distributing channel between the producers of steel in this country and the consumers in France. I believe that representations have been made in certain quarters on this subject by merchants engaged in this trade, and the system may have certain drawbacks, but the Commission Internationale de Ravitaillement are of opinion that in the present circumstances it should not be interfered with.
§ 34. Sir C. SEELYasked the President of the Board of Trade the cost per ton, of steel exported, of the staff now engaged in controlling the distribution thereof to Allied countries; and whether he has made any inquiries as to the rate at which merchants previously engaged in that trade would be willing to undertake this work?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)I have been asked to reply to this question. I am not quite clear as to whether my hon. and my gallant Friend wishes to know the cost per ton of the steel exported to Allied countries or the cost of the staff engaged in controlling the distribution thereof measured. per ton of steel. If my hon. Friend means the first, it would be impossible to give a definite figure, as the cost varies from day to day, but the figure is based on the principle of actual cost. If my hon. Friend means the second, there is no special staff in this Department exclusively engaged on the work of controlling the distribution of steel to Allied countries. The allocation and distribution of supplies of steel to Allied countries are questions so closely bound up with the general problems of allocation and distribution that it would be impracticable and undesirable to establish a separate organisation for the purpose suggested in this question. My hon. Friend will see that, in these circumstances, no figure can be given as to the cost of staff involved in this work, nor could the work advantageously be undertaken by merchants.
§ Sir C. SEELYI must apologise if there is any error in the question. But I may say that there has been an unnecessary comma inserted. What I desire, of course, is the cost of the staff per ton of steel exported, not in proportion to the weight of the staff, but to the weight of steel.
2364 Perhaps the hon. Gentleman could answer the last part of the question: whether he has made any inquiries as to the rate at which merchants previously engaged in the trade would be willing to do the work? Perhaps he can give some idea how that compares with the present cost of staff.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI have dealt with that point in my answer.