HC Deb 23 November 1937 vol 329 cc1031-3
63. Mr. R. Acland

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish a table showing, by a reference to page, paragraph, and line, where are the 20 to 30 recommendations which were made by the Import Duties Advisory Committee in their report on the iron and steel industry, which are now being considered by the industry or by the Department concerned?

Mr. Stanley

On pages 77 to 81 of their report, the Committee summarise their main conclusions and recommendations with references to the appropriate paragraphs in the body of the report.

64. Mr. Acland

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to take any steps to expedite the setting up of a central stabilisation fund, as promised by the memorandum sent by the British Iron and Steel Federation to the Import Duties Advisory Committee in March, 1933?

Mr. Stanley

The establishment of a central stabilisation fund is a matter for the British Iron and Steel Federation, who, I am informed, have it under active consideration.

Mr. Acland

As there was a promise of the establishment of this central stabilisation fund four and a half years ago, could not the industry do something rather better than give active consideration to it?

Mr. Stanley

I would not agree that such a promise was given, but this is a matter of great complexity and is now being worked out in detail, and I am sure that no unavoidable delay is being incurred.

Mr. Jagger

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to activate them rather more?

65. Mr. Acland

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state, in relation to the items numbered (i) to (vii), quoted in inverted commas on page 20 of the Import Duties Advisory Committee's Report on Iron and Steel, from what source these items are quoted; and whether any, and, if so, what, sums have been expended from any central fund on any of the objects mentioned in that part of the report?

Mr. Stanley

I understand that the items to which the hon. Member refers are extracts from evidence submitted by the British Iron and Steel Federation in connection with the committee's inquiry. With regard to the second part of the question, I am informed that special arrangements have been made under which the additional cost of purchases of foreign pig iron and scrap is met, in the first instance, by the federation and is spread over the whole industry by means of a levy. Apart from this, and from the case mentioned in the reply given on 2nd November to the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Foot), no sums have been expended from any fund of the kind mentioned in the question.