HC Deb 07 July 1936 vol 314 cc1007-8
26. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many blast furnaces are out of blast in each of the Special Areas, showing each area separately, and the total output possible of pig-iron per year if the furnaces were restarted in the Special Areas?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As the answer includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. ANDERSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make representations to the Special Commissioners with regard to the blast furnaces which are not in blast in the Special Areas, in view of the fact that there are heavy importations of pig iron?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

That is a different question. I was asked for the figures with regard to the number of blast furnaces, and I have given them in a full table.

Following is the answer:

The following statement, which has been furnished by the British Iron and Steel Federation, shows the number of idle blast furnaces in each of the counties comprising the Special Areas and their approximate annual capacity if it were possible to work them. It should be noted, however, that none of the furnaces now idle has been in operation for the last five years and that many have been idle for 10 years or more and can only be regarded as obsolete.

County. Number of Furnaces. Approximate Annual Capacity.
Tons.
Durham … … 10 476,000
Cumberland … 3 312,000
Glamorgan … … 2 89,200
Monmouth … … 5 384,800
Ayr … … … 14 210,000
Lanark (excluding Glasgow). 36 670,600
Stirling … … 2 67,600
Total … 72 2,210,200