§ 49. Mr. GRATTAN DOYLEasked the Prime Minister whether Scottish tube makers are buying steel strips in large quantities from America; whether large consignments of American steel strips are coming into the Midlands at prices considerably below those of local makers; whether steel strips is to be regarded as a pivotal industry; and, if so, how this fact is to be reconciled with the declared intention of His Majesty's Government to provide adequate safeguards for the protection and expansion of key industries?
§ The MINISTER Of RECONSTRUCTION (Sir Auckland Geddes)The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. The importation of tube strip has been licensed freely since January, and is now allowed under general licence, as manufacturers in this country are quite unable to meet the demand. No representations as to the maintenance of any restriction have been made by manufacturers to the Board of Trade.