§ 6. Mr. MALONEasked the President a the Board of Trade whether the report of the inquiry into the iron and steel trade will be published; and what steps are being taken in regard thereto?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am unable to add anything to the answer given to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) on the 15th December last.
§ Captain AUSTIN HUDSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has been in consultation with the iron and steel manufacturers to see whether they still object to this report being published, since it has been published in Germany, and that certain reports translated from the German have also been published?
§ Mr. GRAHAMYes, I have been in consultation. It is true that, following the leakage in Germany, it has been suggested that it should be published, but, as I intimated last week I think, the Government adhere to their decision not to publish this Report.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEDid not the leakage occur in this country, and not in Germany?
§ Mr. RENNIE SMITHArising out of the second part of the reply, I should like to ask my right hon. Friend whether his attention has been drawn to the excessive evils that have followed rationalisation in the iron and steel trade in Germany due to the larger freedom of employers in that country in handling that position?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis question goes far beyond the question on the Paper.