§ 49. Mr. REMERasked the Prime Minister if his attention had been called to the statement on page 12 of the Report by the Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, that if the iron and steel industries had been working to full capacity they would have consumed 37,000,000 tons of coal in 1925, whereas they only used 22,000,000 tons; and if, in view of this fact the Cabinet will reconsider their decision as to safeguarding the iron and steel industries?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have taken note of the statement referred to. This and all other relevant considerations were in mind when the Government reached their decision as to safeguarding the iron and steel industries.
§ Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYWas that, decision final?
§ The PRIME MINISTERFinal, certainly, for the present. There are very few questions of practical politics which are final. I answered a question on that point the other day.
§ Mr. REMERHas the attention of the Prime Minister been called to the views expressed by prominent members of the Labour party on this subject?
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs it not a fact that on an average 10s. goes in royalties for every ton of steel made in this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should think that statement is enormously exaggerated.
§ Mr. JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware of the statement made by a representative of the industry before the Coal Commission bearing out the statement?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have not had notice of the question. I have told the hon. Member what I think, because I have had to earn a precarious living myself by making steel.
§ Mr. JONESIs the Prime Minister aware that it takes four tons of coal on an average and two tons of iron—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not ask a question like that without notice. He must put it on the Paper.
§ Mr. JONESIs it not competent for an hon. Member to claim the privilege of replying to a statement that is not accurate?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI thought the hon. Member was making the statement.