§ 46 and 47. Mr. REMERasked the Prime Minister (1) if trade witnesses were called before the Committee which investigated the case of the steel industry under the Safeguarding of Industries Act; and, if so, will he publish their names;
(2) if he will explain to the House whether the Committee appointed to investigate the state of the steel industry was a Committee of the Cabinet or an independent Committee appointed by the Cabinet?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)The application of the steel industry was not referred to a Committee for inquiry under the Safeguarding of Industries procedure for the reasons which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 21st December last. A preliminary investigation on a wider basis into the state of the industry was conducted by the Committee of Civil Research, but as I explained in reply to my hon. Friend on the 8th February it would be contrary to established practice to give information relating to the composition or proceedings of a Cabinet Committee.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I take it that this question is now 26 closed and will not be reopened, and that there is no further question of safeguarding steel?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere are very few questions in this world of which I would say they are closed.