HC Deb 16 February 1931 vol 248 cc864-5
35. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, whether, following upon a report prepared by one of the officers of his Department and the secretary of the Leicester Boot Manufacturers' Association on the conditions in five European countries affecting the export trade of British boots, he proposes to make any special effort to carry out the recommendations embodied in the report?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

This investigation was undertaken by the Incorporated Federated Association of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers of Great Britain and Ireland with all practicable assistance of the Department and its representatives in the countries visited. My hon. Friend is in close personal touch with the association, who are vigorously following up the results of the investigation among their members in order to secure that the fullest advantage is taken of the information secured.

Mr. HANNON

Will the hon. Gentleman indicate what kind of steps are being taken to carry out these recommendations?

Mr. SMITH

I think that my hon. Friend will realise that this is largely a matter for the Federated Association of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers, but the Department will help as far as possible.

Mr. HANNON

But the important point which I wish to put to the hon. Gentleman is, whether, in regard to reports of this kind, some definite policy is pursued by the Department, in order to give effect to the recommendations?

Mr. SMITH

The Department is only able to facilitate any schemes, or any line of policy which might be adopted by the association concerned. This is a

The following Tables give the information, so far as it is available:

Country. Pig Iron. Steel Ingots and Castings.
1929. 1930. 1929. 1930.
In 1,000 tons (of 2,240 lbs).
United Kingdom … … … … 7,589 6,197 9,636 7,299
Germany … … … … 13,185 9,539 15,985 11,353
United States … … … … 42,614 31,399 (a) 56,433 39,653(b)
(a) Not including the output of charcoal pig iron; the production in 1929 of this description of iron was 138,193 tons.
(b) This figure is the addition of the monthly totals which are exclusive of the production of steel castings and also of crucible and electric steel ingots, monthly details of these descriptions of steel not being reported. The production of steel castings in 1929 was 1,583,040 tons and of crucible and electric steel ingots 538,158 tons.
Product. Output in Soviet Buseia for year ended 30th September
1929. 1930.
In 1,000 tons (of 2,240 lbs.).
Coal … … … … 37,812 44,200
Iron Ore … … … … 7,148 (a)
Pig Iron … … … … 3,952 4,885
Steel … … … … 4,643 5,465
(a) Complete information not available. The output in the six months ended 31st March amounted to 4,785,000 tons.