§ 48. Mr. GAVAN DUFFYasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that practically the whole of the iron ore mines in West Cumberland have been closed down, and that most of the blast furnaces in the same area have been damped down; and whether, seeing that this serious slump in the iron and steel trade is to a large extent attributable to the present position of affairs in the Ruhr Valley and having regard to the fact that this present slump comes after a previous one lasting over two years, any immediate action can be taken by the Government to safeguard the interests of our staple industries?
§ Viscount WOLMERI have been asked to reply. I am aware that a number of iron ore mines have been recently closed down, and several blast furnaces damped down, on the North West Coast. The situation in the Ruhr is receiving constant attention by the Government, and I understand that the Prime Minister hopes to make a statement on the subject to-morrow.