HC Deb 25 June 1925 vol 185 cc1723-4
69. Sir H. CROFT

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of steel imports in the last completed 12 months, and how many unemployed there are in the British steel industry?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The value of the imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the 12 months ended May, 1925, so far as the particulars are available, was £19,625,000. This total, however, is inclusive of some manufactures of iron, which are not distinguished in the monthly accounts from similar manufactures of steel. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Burton (Colonel Gretton) by the Minister of Labour on the 22nd June, where the particulars are fully set out.

Sir H. CROFT

Is it not a fact that these imports of finished steel goods, were they excluded, would largely give employment to the whole of the unemployed in that industry?