HC Deb 13 April 1938 vol 334 cc1116-7
77. Colonel Baldwin-Webb

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of blast furnaces situated in the Midlands and the United Kingdom, respect- tively, that have been blown 30th September, 1937?

Captain Wallace

I am informed that between 30th September, 1937, and the end of last month, there was a decrease of 14 in the number of blast furnaces in operation; of this number, 10 were situated in the Midlands.

Mr. Everard

Is it not the fact that the high cost of coal and the very cheap and large imports of foreign iron and steel are the cause of the closing down?