HC Deb 24 March 1920 vol 127 c422
87. Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board if Trade if he will grant a return of the tonnage output of steel in plates for export from the principal British steel plate manufacturers and the relative quantity supplied by them to home manufacturers from 31st October to the end of February; will the Government take immediate steps to restrict the export of steel plates until the home demand has been supplied, keeping in view the unemployment which will be caused by a shortage of steel and the higher value of the manufactured articles as compared with the steel plates used in their manufacture?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The export of steel plates of all kinds amounted in the four months named to 112,237 tons, but I have no information as to the proportion which this amount bears to the total output. I am, however, making inquiries in the matter, and will communicate the result to my hon. Friend. I will bring the suggestion contained in the latter part of the question to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are great engineering works in Scotland which are rapidly being brought to a complete standstill for want of steel plates; if so, what justification is there for allowing steel plates to go out of the country until the engineering works here are fully supplied?

Colonel P. WILLIAMS

Is my hon. Friend aware that the difficulty is really one of transport, and that there is no question of whether or not the steel plates are exported; the difficulty is that of getting the plates to the works?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the difficulty is not one of transport? Steel plates can be brought to the Clyde by water, and it is there where they are specially required.