§ 40. Mr. MANDER(for Sir PERCY HARRIS) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the quantity and value per ton of pig-iron imported in the first five months in 1931 and in the first five months of this year from India and from all other countries, respectively?
Mr. HORE-BEUSHAThe total imports of pig-iron into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from British India during the first five months of 1931 and 1932 amounted to 17,711 tons, of an average declared value of 62s. 7d. per ton and 37,768 tons, valued at 55s. 9d. per ton, respectively. The imports from all other countries during the same periods amounted to 94,389 tons, valued at 64s. 3d. per ton and 41,932 tons, valued at 60s. 2d. per ton, respectively.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the hon. Gentleman aware that pig-iron has not been able to be made at a profit for a considerable number of years and that, if it is all made in this country, it can be made profitably at present prices?