HC Deb 11 December 1934 vol 296 cc194-5
28. Mr. D. DAVIES

asked the President of the Board of Trade the imports of iron ore into the ports of Newport, Cardiff, Port Talbot and other Welsh ports, during the years 1932, 1933 and the nine months ended the 30th September, 1934?

Dr. BURGIN

As the answer involves a number of figures I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. DAVIES

Do the figures for this year show an increase or a decrease as compared with 1932?

Dr. BURGIN

They show an increase.

Mr. DAVIES

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to his Department to try to come to some arrangement to fix a quota of men producing iron ore in this country who, particularly in my division, are now unemployed?

Dr. BURGIN

If the hon. Member will look at the answer, he will see what are the figures for the different ports in the different areas, and then, perhaps, he may like to put down another question.

Sir J. NALL

Are the Board of Trade taking any note of the increasing adverse balance of trade, or are they just carrying on as usual?

Following is the answer:

The following table shows the total tonnage of iron ore (except chrome iron ore and pyrites) imported into the United Kingdom at ports in Wales (including Monmouthshire) during the years 1932 and 1933 and the first nine months of 1934.

Port of importation. 1932. 1933. Jan. to Sept., 1934.
Tons. Tons. Tons.
Newport (Mon.) 462 — 6,305
Cardiff (including Barry Dock and Penarth) 114,087 196,696 136,002
Port Talbot (including Briton Ferry, Neath Abbey and Porthcawl). 377,479 505,667 372,042
Other ports in Wales 1 — 4,582
Total at Welsh ports 492,029 702,363 518,931
36. Mr. HALES

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in imports of iron and steel as compared with the imports of 1933; and whether he will initiate further steps without delay to make the protection of this industry more effective?

Dr. BURGIN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. H. Williams) on the 22nd November.

Forward to