§ 74. Sir John Jarvisasked the President of the Board of Trade when it is anticipated that the Import Duties Advisory Committee will report upon the condition of the iron and steel industry; and whether in any case he will ask them for an interim report upon the desirability of the establishment of steel works at Jarrow forthwith?
§ Dr. BurginI understand that the committee hope to be able to complete their inquiry within a few weeks, and I do not think it desirable to ask them to deal in advance with any particular aspect of the matters before them.
§ Sir J. JarvisMay I ask my hon. Friend to remember that the committee has been sitting for nearly eight months, and that it is quite impossible to purchase any land from Palmers Yard for the purpose of a new industry until the result of its deliberations is known? Does he not realise that this is preventing these long unemployed men from getting to work at the earliest date?
§ Dr. BurginIt is for all those reasons that I am glad to announce that the report will be ready in a few weeks.
§ Miss WilkinsonWe have had questions repeatedly on the point, and we have never had anything but—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Miss WilkinsonOn a point of Order. Is it not in order to ask a question when the same answer has been given time and time again?
§ Mr. SpeakerIt is quite in order to ask a question, but not to make a statement.
§ 76. Mr. G. Hardieasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that workers in the re-rolling mills at Springburn have been made idle through the lack of raw steel; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent stoppage of work?
§ Dr. BurginI am aware that the pressure on supplies has made it impossible to meet all demands from re-rolling mills, including the works at Springburn, but the British Iron and Steel Federation are making every effort to increase supplies. The Order which was made this week reducing the duty on imported iron and steel may also be expected to result in an increase in supplies from the Continent.
§ Mr. HardieWhat is the position of the Government in relation to the fact that there are furnaces standing idle in Scotland which could have produced this material? In view of the unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.