HC Deb 05 May 1931 vol 252 cc194-5
23. Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will endeavour to obtain from persons from whom evidence or other information was obtained confidentially their assent to the publication of the report on the iron and steel trade?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

In arriving at the decision not to publish the report referred to, full consideration was given to the views of the various interests from whom evidence was received.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

In view of the express desire of those connected with the trade itself that the report should be published, will not the right hon. Gentleman find out whether the difficulties with those who have given evidence can be surmounted?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have already indicated, in reply to a question, that all those considerations have been taken into account, including the views of a section of the industry, but the Government cannot go back on their decision not to publish this report.

Mr. WISE

Will the Government publish the proposals, on which, presumably, they are working at this moment, contained in the report, without necessarily publishing the confidential information on which it was based?

Mr. GRAHAM

No, I have already informed the House that that cannot be done, but I have promised that on the Vote for ray Department I will make as complete a statement regarding reorganisation in this industry and in other industries as is possible.

Mr. WISE

Cannot the Government publish a statement of the proposals on which they are working, presumably contained in this report, together with the progress made, so that we may have an opportunity of considering it before the Debate is taken?

— 1913. 1929.
Dues in gold francs per ton. *
Loaded vessels 6.25 6.90
Vessels in ballast 3.75 4.40
£ £
Gross revenue: Approximate Sterling Equivalent† 5,148,000 9,600,000
Sterling equivalent at date of payment of dividends paid to ordinary shareholders including the Statutory 5 per cent. interest on Actions de Capital. 2,847,000 4,302,000
Sterling Equivalent of Directors' remuneration 70,000 119,000
* As from 1st September, 1930, the rates were reduced to 6.65 per ton for loaded ships and 3.32½ for ships in ballast.
† Calculated at exchange rates of 1st July each year.