HC Deb 19 April 1928 vol 216 c366
41. Mr. MORRIS (for Major OWEN)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the Committee of Scientific and Industrial Research the Duffield process, by which it is claimed that the cost of producing iron and steel can be reduced, in view of the depression existing in the iron and steel industry, so as to determine the possibilities of such process in rehabilitating those industries?

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

I understand that a company has been formed to prove and develop the Duffield process; that a large scale plant is being erected by the company; and that the results of these experiments will be available to the iron and steel trade. In these circumstances I do not think that any action could usefully be taken by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research at this stage.

Mr. HANNON

Is not the real remedy for the iron and steel situation the introduction of safeguarding at the earliest possible moment?