77. Mr. CHAPMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations submitted to him concerning the announcement by Messrs. Stewarts and Lloyds that they are forced to curtail production at their Phoenix Works, in the Rutherglen Division, partly on account of the restrictions now in force on the importation of Continental Bessemer steel; and whether he will consider easing these restrictions so as to safeguard the employment of the 1,200 men involved?
§ Dr. BURGINThe statement by Messrs. Stewarts and Lloyds which appears in the Press this morning shows that the transference of work from the Phoenix Works is not due to a restriction of imports of foreign steel.
Mr. CHAPMANIn view of the southward drift of industry, can the hon. Member inform me whether there is any official channel of information through which his Department become automatically informed of any proposal to shift works in this way?
§ Dr. BURGINThat is another question. In regard to Messrs. Stewarts and Lloyds, they have a bed of ore at Corby in Northamptonshire which necessitates this transfer.
§ Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIs it not a fact that the Press statement to which the hon. Member refers definitely attributes the improvement in the company's position to the tariff policy of the Government, and that the reason for the transfer is primarily to concentrate their works near their ore fields at Corby?
§ Dr. BURGINThere is a long statement in the "Times" this morning.