§ 22. Major BEAUMONT THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of iron and steel for the month of December exceeded the exports by 116,000 tons; and whether the Government will take steps to remedy this situation?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second, I fear I can add nothing to previous statements as to the policy of the Government in respect of this industry.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIs this the Government's fulfilment of their unqualified pledge to stimulate the depressed export trade of iron and steel?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe reply to that question is that any form of Protection would not, in my judgment, stimulate our export trade at all. We have already done a great deal to try and accelerate the re-organisation of this industry by such a method that it will be able to appeal more effectively to the home and foreign market.
§ Mr. EVERARDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these imports are causing a very great number of unemployed in the iron and steel trade, both in the furnaces and in the ironstone workings of this country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis also must not become a debate.