§ 54. Mr. Thorneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give this House any information in connection with the steel and scrap iron agreement?
§ Captain CrookshankMy right hon. Friend understands that, as is reported 1645 in the Press, the iron and steel industry has made arrangements with the National Federation of Scrap Iron and Steel Merchants for the better organisation of supplies of scrap. The object of these arrangements is, I understand, to improve the collection and distribution of supplies.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsCan the Minister state what percentage of increase in the prices is arrived at in this agreement?
§ Mr. BanfieldIs the Minister aware that smaller employers in this industry are being squeezed out because they cannot get materials?
§ Miss WilkinsonAre we to understand from the answer which the Minister has given that the only information which the Board of Trade has on this vital matter of the raw materials of steel is from casual notices in the Press, and are they not taking any share whatever in the organisation of this vital matter?
§ Captain CrookshankThe hon. Lady must not understand that; it was only a reference that I made.