§ 51. Mr. MANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade the present position with regard to the reorganisation of the iron and steel industry; and if he is aware of the recent increase in the price of iron and steel and the serious effect on manufacturers who employ this raw material in articles manufactured for the home and foreign markets?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on 6th February. A meeting of the National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers to consider the scheme for improving the central organisation of the industry is being held to-day. With regard to the second part of the question, I am aware that there have recently been increases in the price of certain iron and steel products, but they do not appear to have been of such a character as to have serious effect upon the consumers of those products.
§ Mr. MANDERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a letter in to-day's "Times" from Sir William Firth, pointing out the futility of the proposed reorganisation scheme?