§ 49. Sir P. Harrisasked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is taking any action to secure that the three Defence Departments have the necessary supplies of such metals as tin, lead and spelter; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent speculators from holding up supplies?
§ Sir T. InskipThe Defence Departments have had no difficulty in obtaining such supplies of these metals as they require; the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Sir P. HarrisThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my point. Has he been buying at satisfactory prices, and is he satisfied that he has sufficient supplies to prevent the needs of the Government being exploited by high prices?
§ Sir T. Inskipof course, the position is constantly reviewed, but up to the present there has been no difficulty in obtaining sufficient supplies at what are regarded as proper prices.
§ Mr. PalingAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman has no concern about the speculation that is going on with regard to these three metals.
§ Sir T. InskipI was not asked about supplies—
§ Mr. PalingYou were asked about prices.
§ Sir T. Inskip—but whether I was taking action to secure that we had the necessary supplies of such materials, and I said, "Yes."
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not the steep rise in prices a matter of concern to the Government, and is it not the duty of the Government to take effective measures to deal with the matter?
§ Sir T. InskipIf the hon. Gentleman likes to put down a question on that matter either to me or to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, an endeavour will be made to answer it.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not that question implied in the original question?
§ Sir P. HarrisThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of my question—whether he intends to take any action to prevent speculators from holding up supplies?
§ Sir T. InskipI said that I thought the second part of the question did not arise, as the Government have had no difficulty in obtaining such supplies as they require. If there is any indication of any difficulty due to the activities of speculators, I will most certainly consider the necessary action.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been enormous rises in the metal market in the last fortnight?
§ Sir T. InskipI am well aware of what has been reported in the Press and I take notice of it, and I shall watch the position.
§ Mr. PalingIs this an example of what the Government are doing generally to deal with profiteering?