HC Deb 15 November 1927 vol 210 cc797-8
2. Sir BERKELEY SHEFFIELD

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the continued depression in the iron and eteel trade; if he has received any further representations from the industry; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

10. Sir ALEXANDER SPROT

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider the question of applying safeguarding to the iron and steel trades, in view of the depressed condition of those trades and the large number of unemployed in the districts affected by that depression?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Flint (Mr. Goodman Roberts) on 10th November, a copy of which I am sending them.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise the fact that some form of protection must be given if these industries are to continue at all?

Mr. HANNON

Is it not a fact that the condition of these industries is growing worse from day to day, and will the Government take active steps to deal with it?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Both those questions were put to the Prime Minister and answered by him.

Colonel GRETTON

Has the Board of Trade Committee reported on the iron and steel industry, and, if so, will their Report be published?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, Sir. There never has been a Board of Trade Committee. As the Prime Minister announced to the House, the Committee of Civil Research investigated the whole position of the iron and steel industry, and it would be contrary to precedent to publish the Report.

Sir F. HALL

Are the Government prepared to allow this industry to go from bad to worse, because they will not bring in some measure of protection?

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement in a Sunday newspaper that the Government have received a recommendation from a committee of experts and have undertaken to consider the question?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I am afraid that I have not seen the Sunday paper to which the hon. Member refers.